‘Moana 2’ Songwriters On Film’s Soundtrack: ‘Give It a Month, All the Kids Will Be Singing It’

As a follower who has grown up with Disney movies, I must say that the release of “Moana 2” feels like a nostalgic homecoming. The box office success is undeniable, but the criticism towards the music seems to overshadow its brilliance.

Make no mistake about it, “Moana 2” is a hit.

In a remarkable turn of events, the Disney sequel surpassed all previous Thanksgiving box office records, earning an astounding $225 million during its five-day release. However, contrary to the overwhelming audience interest in the film, the movie’s music and songwriters have not received the same level of appreciation. The primary complaint revolves around the lack of that signature Disney melodic charm, with some viewers even expressing the need for more engaging tunes. Some also compare the new songs unfavorably to those created by Lin-Manuel Miranda for the 2016 original.

Songwriter Abigail Barlow replies cheerfully, “In about a month, everyone will be humming it, and you’ll find yourself growing weary of it.

Barlow forms one-half of the duo Barlow and Bear, alongside Emily Bear, who are responsible for composing the fresh tunes in Disney’s upcoming film “Moana 2.

Bear remarks, “Everyone has their own perspective on things.” She continues, “Creating a follow-up can be quite challenging because it’s impossible to replicate the original’s unique atmosphere. People tend to appreciate what they are familiar with, and this is something new. Therefore, it’s natural for them to have opinions. As for music, it’s a matter of personal taste.

Indeed it is. And while they do have to measure up against the earworm songs created by Miranda, the sequel tasked them with going in a new direction, just like the film’s heroine.

Barlow and Bear, a young duo, became Disney’s most youthful composers yet, having achieved recognition following their work on “The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical.” This masterpiece garnered them the prestigious 2022 Grammy Award for the best musical theater album.

According to the director of “Moana 2,” Jason Hand, it was an obvious choice to hire them. He explained, “We discussed Moana’s journey and her ongoing self-growth. I believe their previous music success made them understand that their future would be a blend of their past achievements and the unknown.

And yes, they did reach out to Miranda who was always just a “Facetime call away.”

Barlow shares that he received books on crafting lyrics and storytelling through music from musical theater legends, which provided guidance on conveying tales musically in a concise and appealing manner. The most valuable tip Miranda imparted was to embrace their inspirations. Barlow recalls an instance when they struggled with writing a rap; Miranda advised, “Don’t shy away from leaning into the music you enjoy listening to, and that proved incredibly beneficial.

To begin with, the initial melody they composed was known as “We’re Back,” which is the welcome song for Moana. This tune serves as a reminder to viewers about Moana’s current phase in life. The opening lines of the song go like this: “From the distant horizon, we journey back to our homeland, our island.

Hand underscores the belief that Barlow and Bear were ideally suited for the task at hand. He expresses that the phrase “We’re Back” was exceptionally captivating and served to draw us into their world. From then on, it felt like we were collaborating with them as we progressed in crafting the narrative.

Beyond just Hand, directors Dana LeDoux Miller and David Derrick Jr., along with composers Mark Mancini and Opetaia Foaʻi, also played crucial roles in assisting Barlow and Bear during the songwriting journey. The creation of the film’s music was truly a collective endeavor.

According to Hand, the music in this sequel is unlike anything we’ve heard before within the story, as it represents a fresh perspective being introduced to Moana. In the upcoming movie, Moana (portrayed by Auli’i Cravalho) assumes new roles, such as caring for her younger sister Simea (Khaleesi Lambert-Tsuda). Three years after the initial film, Moana embarks on a journey deep into the ocean to locate a hidden island and lift a curse.

In “Beyond,” Bear expresses a contrast between this song and the initial film’s “How Far I’ll Go.” Despite Moana preparing to depart once more, she’s content now, having her younger sister Simea by her side who doesn’t want her to go. Bear points out that Moana cherishes her more than anything else, but leaving is not just difficult; it’s asking her to embark on a quest no one has ever returned from safely. Bear adds that the danger and uncertainty this time are far greater, saying it’s tearing her apart to even consider such a world. Furthermore, Bear emphasizes they wanted to showcase Moana’s vulnerability, as she is strong, brave, and powerful but also human.

Writing the lyrics, Barlow found herself resonating with the character. She expressed it as, “I felt like Moana, letting go of my familiar guidelines and surrendering to this journey, allowing myself to grow and learn along the way.

They too needed to think about how Cravalho’s voice had evolved, and determine where to incorporate that development. As Barlow explains, “Her voice has ripened and expanded over the eight years since she last portrayed this character. We aimed to provide her with opportunities to stand out and truly display her vocal talents.

In the studio, Director Miller first listened to Cravalho’s rendition of the song and understood that Barlow and Bear had perfectly captured it. “We faced challenges in understanding what Moana desires at this moment as she has already embarked on her journey in the initial film, and now we are launching her into a new one. What makes this different? It wasn’t until we hit upon the idea that it’s not about whether or not she will go. This isn’t a conflict of staying or going, as it was in the first film. She recognizes that it is necessary to depart, but she is older now and realizes that leaving has potential risks and losses.” She further commented, “I believe Barlow and Bear did an exceptional job conveying this sentiment.

To ensure a smooth flow between the pieces of music, composer Opetaia Foa’i played a crucial role. As fellow composer John Williams put it, “Our aim is to seamlessly blend all parts together. That’s why you’ll hear Opetaia singing in the songs, creating an overall harmonious composition.

Similar to Mancini, Hand cherishes the music he works on, having contributed to films such as “Encanto,” “Zootopia” and “The Princess and the Frog.” Speaking about his admiration for these compositions, he says, “I find them incredible. We’ve been immersed in these melodies longer than most people have. I can confidently say that Emily and Abigail’s songs are exceptional. If you give them a moment of your time, I believe listeners will grow to love them as much as we have, because they are truly remarkable songs that beautifully convey the story.

Hand promises the music will be “timeless,” just like this story of Moana and her new adventure.

2024-12-05 04:18

‘Moana 2’ Songwriters On Film’s Soundtrack: ‘Give It a Month, All the Kids Will Be Singing It’

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