Scarlett Johansson - & Pete Yorn - Break Up

It shouldn't come as any shock to hear Scarlett Johansson can sing, or at least attempt to. The actress already showed her vocal abilities on her 2007 debut album Anywhere I Lay Head. But where that record was a solo disc of Tom Waits' covers (aided by the gifted hands of Dave Sitek), the Hollywood actress has partnered with singer-songwriter Pete Yorn on 'Break Up', a collection of 8 original recordings, and a rework of 'I Am The Cosmos' by Big Star.

These 2006 tracks were actually recorded pre-'Anywhere...' and in some ways it shows. Johansson doesn't sound as prominent as her solo outing, but serves as a backing vocalist for Yorn. But if truth be told, Scarlett sounds like she's enjoying herself more on these tracks, rather than her moody, gloom-ridden shoe-gazing tinged solo disc.

Yorn explained the concept before 'Break Up' was based on a dream, and was inspired by the collaboration of Serge Gainsbourg and Brigitte Bardot. The results of their 'two afternoon' recording sessions don't fall anywhere near the genius of Gainsbourg, but are fun nonetheless. Much like another actress turned singer, this pairing bares similar traits to that of She & Him (the two-piece comprising of Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward).

Stripped to the core, this is the sound of two friends simply hitting the record button and just going with whatever happens. Together they conjure up a sketchy, lo-fi listen - all jangly tambourines, indie-folk guitars, atmospheric production, scratchy vocals - and a general warts-an-all spontaneous feel.