All too often in Hollywood, actors who have harnessed an audience on the silver or small screen mistakenly assume their talents will automatically translate to the music studio. Unfortunately for our ears, these attempts at an industry crossover are mortifying, even catastrophic at times. Young starlets like Lindsay Lohan (wish she hadn’t), Leighton Meester and even ex-“Baywatch” hunk David Hasselhoff have all attempted to greedily dip their toes in the recording industry pool.

That’s why when Zooey Deschanel debuted her first collaborative effort with indie-folk rocker M. Ward on She & Him, Volume One, there was some justified skepticism. Because let’s be honest, after hearing the Hoff half-croon a pop ballad, any music cynic would harbor some suspicion about Hollywood’s singing dexterity.

But after surprising critics and fans alike, She (Deschanel) & Him (Ward) have established themselves as a powerful indie duo with a sweet, retro style leaving fans craving more of Deschanel’s ’60s flashback grace and Ward’s guitar finesse.

On Volume Two, She & Him provides listeners with a collection of slow, soulful tunes that epitomize Deschanel’s vintage flair, showcasing the depth of her ’60s era song-writing skills and unique vocals. But devotees will be disappointed that there still isn’t enough of Him on the record, an element that was also missing on Volume One. This comes as no surprise though, as Deschanel wrote all of the original songs for the album.

The first single, “In the Sun,” has a light country swing to it and is infused with classic guitar and bass harmonies provided by Ward that listeners became familiar with in Volume One. It’s airy and fun, and it’s also the most balanced track on the album, featuring just enough of both Deschanel and Ward.

“Gonna Get Along Without You Now,” a cover of a 1963 Skeeter Davis tune, is upbeat and light despite the underlying theme of heartbreak. This blend of optimistic tempos and sad, reflective lyrics is the signature technique of She & Him that fans became acquainted with on Volume One.

Although the duo may not be offering sonic emotional cuts with raw lyrics and equally raw harmonies, this blissful attitude toward love — that if it’s lost, it will find you again — feels like a refreshing spring breeze.

The only problem with having a record devoted to lyrics drenched with hope and cheery choruses is that all the songs tend to drift together, making it harder to remember the standout melodies.

But the final two songs, “Brand New Shoes” and “If You Can’t Sleep” are simple and absent of any gimmicky cuteness. On both, Deschanel’s voice is pure and accompanied by only a light vocal hum along with the occasional strum of a guitar chord or soft violin string.

“If You Can’t Sleep” is, as the title suggests, somewhat of a lullaby for the soul. With lyrics like, “If the world is cold but the sun shines the same/ Shut your eyes, there are bluer skies,” the overt optimism that saturated the previous melodies is dialed down. With nothing but Deschanel’s unornamented voice, it’s She & Him unplugged.

On Volume Two, Deschanel proves once again she’s not just an offbeat film actress moonlighting as a singer, but rather a sincere vocalist who has the talent to collaborate with established artists and mesmerize audiences beyond the box office.

3 1/2 stars out of 5.