Never has a band’s name fit its sound better than Air, the French electro-pop duo whose music floats effortlessly on sparse arrangements and breathy vocals. Jean-Benoit Dunckel and Nicolas Godin recorded Love 2 in their new studio, intending to capture more energy and spontaneous composition than ever before. Not satisfied with making background music, Air experiments with bumblebee-like walls of sound, chug-a-chug drums, and smatterings of analog keyboards. The album jumps to life with the psychedelic, sparkling chimes of “Sing Sang Sung,” and the wiggling guitar lines of “African Velvet.” The most daring tune, “Be a Bee,” transforms Air into a new beast entirely, with upbeat drum patterns, smart riffage, and croaking robot vocals. Most of the album is a sweet ode to women, as the title suggests. On “Tropical Disease,” climbing piano scales and glockenspiel work as their own profession of love. Fans of Air will embrace Love 2 as a great record of soaring romantic tunes. New listeners will have a nice introduction to an evolving band with an always-soothing sound. — Danielle Sills