MUSIC

Pop & Jazz

Previews by August Brown She & Him M. Ward and Zooey Deschanel’s winsome folk project returns with the ably titled “Vol. 2,” another turn of Carpenters-ish acoustic strumming, big pop instincts and sunshiney harmonies that could make the coldest winter feel like 500 days of, well, summer. Largo at the Coronet, 366 N. La Cienega Blvd., L.A. Mon., 8 p.m. $25. (310) 855-0350.

Xiu Xiu Don’t be turned off by the egregious melodrama of the title of Jaime Stewart’s latest slab of damaged electro-thrash. “Dear God, I Hate Myself” is certainly the catchiest album to bear such a name, with chintzy video-game beats supporting Stewart’s newly confident pop singing and a days-long streak of black humor. Live though, his volatile stage presence makes Joy Division’s Ian Curtis look like Sonny Bono. With the equally unhinged but decidedly more optimistic outfit tUnE-yArDs. The Echo, 1822 Sunset Blvd., Echo Park. Thu., 8:30 p.m. $8. (213) 413-8200.

Bassekou Kouyate The Malian master of the lute-like ngoni, who’s performed with Ali Farka Toure and Taj Mahal, just released a splendid new album “I Speak Fula,” that elaborates on his firey reputation (he was the first person to play a ngoni standing up like a lead guitarist) and captures the live energy of life in his home base of Bamako. This show is his L.A. debut. Getty Center, 1200 Getty Center Drive, L.A. Sat., 7:30 p.m. (310) 440-7300.