Jenny and Johnny - I'm Having Fun Now

After conquering the band world with Rilo Kiley and the solo project world with her two solo releases, Jenny Lewis has returned with a new project featuring her singer/songwriter boyfriend, Jonathan Rice. Jenny and Johnny is closer in sound to Rilo Kiley than Lewis' solo releases--albeit with more of an alt-country than a pop sound. There's the freewheeling country stomper, "My Pet Snakes," the sweeping romanticism of "Switchblade," and the jangly guitars of "Just Like Zeus," all standout tracks that forgo the intimate textures of Lewis' solo albums for rollicking melodies instead. Rice's gruff voice compliments Lewis' soulful vocals well, and although it's cliche to say, I'm Having Fun Now lives up to its title well. For the first time since the early days of Rilo Kiley, Lewis actually sounds like she had fun writing these songs. Not to say that all of her solo album performances were phoned in, but they sounded stiff and not as natural and, well, as fun this album does. It's unclear whether or not Lewis will ever record again with Rilo Kiley, but as long as she continues to release music like this in the meantime, it might be for the better.

DOWNLOAD: Jenny and Johnny - I'm Having Fun Now [Warner Brothers]
Recommended Tracks: "My Pet Snakes," "Switchblade," "Big Wave," "Straight Edge Of The Blade."