Well, she certainly beat Scarlett Johansson to the punch, didn’t she? On March 18, Merge Records will release Volume 1, the long-awaited musical pairing of actress Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward, called She & Him. First meeting in 2006 for a film sountrack contribution, Deschanel and Ward realized they could make beautiful music together, and in between professional commitments — she with acting, he with touring — She & Him finally laid it down in Ward’s Portland studio in the last year. Deschanel’s voice is described as “rich and alluring,” and Volume 1’s offering — “9 originals written by Zooey and 2 cover versions” promises to be as “enchanting” as those deep blue doe eyes of hers. Look for She & Him at San Francisco’s Noise Pop festival on March 2nd, and at the Merge Records SXSW showcase in Austin on March 14th.

Volume 1 tracklisting:
1. Sentimental Heart
2. Why Do You Let Me Stay Here?
3. This Is Not A Test
4. Change Is Hard
5. I Thought I Saw Your Face Today
6. Take It Back
7. I Was Made For You
8. You Really Got A Hold On Me
9. Black Hole
10. Got Me
11. I Should Have Known Better