Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward have reassembled for a new She & Him album saluting the iconic artistry of Beach Boys founder Brian Wilson, the pair’s first in six years. Melt Away: A Tribute To Brian Wilson is due July 22 from Fantasy Records and is led by the first single “Darlin’,” which was originally found on The Beach Boys’ 1967 album Wild Honey.
Its accompanying QVC-inspired video was directed by Lara Jean Gallagher and finds Deschanel and Ward selling nail polish to home shopping viewers.
“In the spring of 2020, we started a list of our favorite Brian songs — a very long list,” the duo explains. “We chose songs without any regard to their chart performance. The obscure ones hit us just as hard as the more popular songs — and all are ripe for re-imagining, re-interpreting and re-inventing. Brian writes songs of beauty and loneliness and vulnerability better than anyone — and by sequencing them next to popular songs of confidence and love and fun, it creates a more complete picture of life on earth.”
Even better, Wilson has not only given the project his thumbs-up but makes a guest appearance on a new version of The Beach Boys’ “Do It Again.” “Zooey and Matt did such mind-blowing versions of our songs,” he says. “The harmonies are beautiful and right on. I love this record!”
She & Him previously announced a short tour performing Wilson songs, beginning June 13 in Denver.
She & Him Melt Away: A Tribute To Brian Wilson track listing:
“Darlin’”
“Wouldn’t It Be Nice”
“Til I Die”
“Deirdre”
“Melt Away”
“Good To My Baby”
“Don’t Talk (Put Your Head on My Shoulder)”
“Don’t Worry Baby”
“This Whole World”
“Kiss Me, Baby”
“Do It Again” ft. Brian Wilson
“Heads You Win, Tails I Lose”
“Please Let Me Wonder”
“Meant for You”
