Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward, best known as She & Him, return with their third studio album, Volume 3, scheduled to arrive in spring 2013. The pair has built a devoted following by pairing Deschanel’s bright, airy vocals with Ward’s guitar-driven arrangements, and Volume 3 promises to deepen that chemistry with eleven original songs alongside three carefully chosen covers and a handful of collaborations that broaden the sound while staying true to their intimate, harmony-forward style. The project was developed over sessions across several studios, with the two trading ideas in long, sunlit writing days and late-night takes that capture the warmth fans expect. May 7, 2013 marks the official release, giving listeners in the United States and Canada the chance to hear the new songs together for the first time. Following the record drop, She & Him will launch a North American summer tour that lands in major cities and offers a chance to experience the music in a live setting, with Montreal and Toronto among the first Canadian dates.
The album, Volume 3, builds on the duo’s characteristic warmth and indie-pop polish. It features eleven original songs that range from sun-soaked folk-rock to melodic ballads, all anchored by tight vocal harmonies and clean guitar textures. The three covers are thoughtfully chosen, offering fresh takes on songs the pair admire while letting their own voice shape the arrangements. The collaborations add texture to the record, bringing in guest contributors without diluting the core sound. Lyrically, the songs explore everyday relationships, small moments of wonder, and quiet reflections that fans have come to love. The May 7 release will set the stage for a summer tour across the United States and Canada, with Montreal and Toronto appearing among the early dates, followed by stops from coast to coast where audiences can hear the music live in intimate clubs and larger venues alike.
In charting their trajectory, She & Him last released A Very She & Him Christmas in 2011, and Volume 2, their previous full-length studio album, appeared in 2010. The duo took time to refine the method that blends Deschanel’s instinctive phrasing with Ward’s guitar-driven textures, expanding their palette without losing the warmth that defines their work. Over the years, the duo has built a dedicated following and earned praise for merging retro pop influences with modern pop sensibilities, offering tunes that feel timeless yet current. Volume 3 continues that tradition, showing growth through tighter arrangements, more adventurous harmonies, and a willingness to experiment with subtle production textures while staying anchored in the duo’s signature approach.
Listeners can expect a live show that captures the studio energy with a richer arrangement of strings on some tracks and a more prominent rhythm section on others. The North American tour will span cities across the continent, with Montreal and Toronto emphasized as essential stops in the summer circuit. The performance schedule will bring the warmth and infectious energy fans have come to anticipate from She & Him, delivering tight harmonies and a set list balanced between new material and fan favorites. For Canadian audiences especially, the Montreal and Toronto dates will offer a chance to experience the music in intimate venues and larger theatres alike, in an atmosphere that suits the songs’ sunlit, nostalgic vibe.
Music enthusiasts are invited to share their thoughts about Volume 3 in the site comments, reflecting on the evolution of She & Him and what the new tracks may reveal about their artistry. The album’s approach, arrangements, and performances provide rich material for discussion as fans await the release and the summer performances across the United States and Canada.