Moana 2’s Greatest Music Comes From A Character Largely Hidden From Advertising

This text accommodates spoilers for “Moana 2.”

“Moana” is arguably the perfect movie from Walt Disney Animation Studios within the final 10 years, which meant “Moana 2” had a fairly huge shadow solid upon it from the very starting. Initially supposed to be a sequel sequence for Disney+, “Moana 2” was introduced as a theatrical function again in February 2024, and the Home of Mouse has been retaining plot particulars fairly near the chest. Again in August, a trailer was unleashed in the course of the D23 celebration, which gave followers a take a look at a extra mature Moana, the introduction of her little sister Simea, the crew becoming a member of her on her new journey, her reunion with the demigod Maui, the return of the Kakamora, and a largely unseen risk, cloaked in darkish purple mild, that challenges everybody’s favourite wayfinder. Not a lot is understood about this film’s Huge Unhealthy, which can probably be an incredible shock for audiences after they watch the movie and understand that not solely is that this character not the Huge Unhealthy, however she’s additionally the supply of the perfect music on the soundtrack.

Lin-Manuel Miranda was the songwriter behind catchy tunes like “How Far I am going to Go” and “You are Welcome,” however the torch has been handed to Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear for “Moana 2.” The duo is most well-known for his or her Grammy Award-winning “The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical” and because the songwriters for “Mexican Pizza: The Musical,” the Taco Bell-sponsored manufacturing that includes Doja Cat and Dolly Parton. As of publication, each “Past” and “Can I Get a Chee Hoo?” from “Moana 2” have been nominated for the 2024 Hollywood Music in Media Award for Greatest Unique Music in an Animated Movie, however for my cash, it is the music “Get Misplaced” that would be the soundtrack standout — becoming an analogous mildew as “We Do not Discuss About Bruno” from “Encanto.”

Let me clarify.

Each “Past” and “Can I Get a Chee-Hoo?” are nice numbers in their very own proper, with “Past” fulfilling the time-honored custom of Disney feminine protagonists’ having a large quantity exhibiting off a formidable vocal vary that serves as the guts of the movie’s plot. Nonetheless, “Get Misplaced” is considerably of a mysterious quantity — a cross between the deception of “Mom Is aware of Greatest” from “Tangled,” Ursula’s feigned empathy with “Poor Unlucky Souls” in “The Little Mermaid,” and the outright denial of reality in “I Will not Say (I am in Love)” from Megara in “Hercules.”

Carried out by Awhimai Fraser because the shape-shifting Matangi, “Get Misplaced” is a life lesson hidden below the guise of a risk. Matangi is telling Moana she must embrace chaos, reside dangerously, and cease being so strict with following the principles, which, relying on intent is both good recommendation or an ideal setup for a lure. Polynesian musical stylings mix completely with the dominant themes related to Disney Villain songs, however because the post-credits scene exhibits, there could also be extra to Matangi than meets the attention.

I beforehand in contrast “Get Misplaced” to “We Do not Discuss About Bruno,” not as a result of I believe the music can have an analogous Billboard chart-shattering efficiency, however as a result of it is very clearly the perfect music on the soundtrack however will undoubtedly be outshined by the extra acquainted choices. I can solely communicate for myself, however Barlow/Bear’s music for “Moana 2” is extremely robust, and a part of that power is their distinctive method to songwriting that differentiates from Lin-Manuel Miranda’s type. “Get Misplaced” is the perfect instance of that, and I apologize upfront for the way typically you may be singing it round the home.