The soundtrack for the weekend was something amazing that happened over the weekend “Encanto,” Walt Disney Animation Studios’ 60th animated feature in nearly 100 years, became the #1 album on the Billboard 200. The film was also a huge success in the United States. “We Don’t Talk About Bruno,” the movie’s breakout song, was the #1 song on Spotify domestically (internationally, it was #19). Although this may be a temporary triumph, The Weeknd just launched his concept album. “Dawn FM,”On Friday, it featured narration by Jim Carrey. It should be celebrated nonetheless. This feels like a return to Disney Animation’s early 90s glory days, when there was a single hit version of one song on the radio (hello Peabo Bryson!). While the soundtrack remained at the top of the album charts, The entire business has seen a significant boost in the last few years, as online streams have replaced radio play. “Encanto”Being on Disney+ on Christmas Eve
It’s with all of this in mind that we are running down every track (all written by the great Lin-Manuel Miranda) from “Encanto.”Is your favorite in the #1 spot? Bruno. Did Disney make a mistake when it came down to the Best Original Song Oscar submission? Keep reading to learn more.
8. “Waiting on a Miracle”
This charming, sweet little song is a winner for two reasons. It is basically a repeat of “The Family Madrigal”With a different beat. That’s okay (see below), but robbed of the original song’s punch and energy, it feels like sort of a bummer in comparison. And while it certainly deepens our understanding of Mirabel (the incomparable Stephanie Beatriz), it doesn’t do much to advance the plot (something that every good musical number should ideally accomplish). Instead, it just wallows in Mirabel’s sadness/otherness, which we already pretty much get. Mirabel glides through a frozen version of a celebration in the musical number is truly stunning. Again, it’s not a bad song, and its less-than-3-minute runtime is merciful and brief. It would have risen to the top of the list if it had delivered a greater emotional punch.
7. “All of You”
We are at the last big number. This is once again a tone-shifted edition of “The Family Madrigal,” which works better here because it is serving as a bookend to that song’s introductory nature. You will also find heart-tugging moments when the various characters sing interludes (when Abuela enters, get ready), and John Leguizamo adding a verse that mirrors. “We Don’t Talk About Bruno”The touching moment when the townpeople come along is amazing. It’s hard to think of the movie ending any other way, and unlike some of the other songs, it advances the plot in so many ways, including (but not limited to), Bruno getting accepted back into the family, Dolores getting her man, and all of them putting the magical casita back together. This is all capped with Mirabel getting the doorknob and putting the house back together; this isn’t just a visual thing either. It’s all The song is available here. It’s quite an achievement.
6. “What Else Can I Do?”
This energetic pop-rock song, featuring Mirabel (Diane Guerrero) and Isabela (Diane Guerrero), is a great example of how Mirabel can be so unique from everyone else. “Encanto” soundtrack. There’s some major Lin-Manuel Miranda wordplay going on (“rows and rows of roses”This is just the tip of an iceberg that’s covered in flowers. Another song that favors character over forward narrative momentum is this one. This is especially true for Isabela, a character so elusive. However, it is still quite minor in comparison to the rest of the songs on this album. Of course, it’s hard not to get lost in the song during the course of the movie, especially thanks to the energetically staged musical number.
5. “Colombia, Mi Encanto”
This is the only song we actually hear in the movie twice – in the lead-up to Antonio’s party and over the closing credits. It speaks volumes about its quality, as we could probably have heard it more than once and still be okay with it. “Colombia, Mi Encanto”This upbeat pop song captures the energy and fun of the movie in an engaging, culturally relevant way. This is an exclusive Spanish-language song. This song feels so fresh and modern, too, if it’s not a hit on the radio in the next few weeks, we’d be surprised.
4. “The Family Madrigal”
Is it time to have a grandkid roundup This song needs to be a great storyteller, introducing people to the world of “Encanto” – the magic, the abilities of the family members (including the sheer number of characters), the relationship between the family and the surrounding town. It’s a lot. But somehow “The Family Madrigal”This is effortless, with the ability to deliver what is basically exposition in a catchy manner. What’s more, it’s one of the more explicitly Lin Manuel-y songs on the soundtrack, including a small stanza that is said to be the fastest singing ever in a Disney song (you’ll know it when you hear it). Miranda is said to have been inspired when it came to introductory songs. “Belle,”The opening number is “Beauty and the Beast,”Both songs do a great job at table setting. “The Family Madrigal”It just does it with an even more lively spring in its step. It’s a song. “The Family Madrigal”The song is still very effective without any spectacular visuals. It may take you several listens to get the whole family on board. “The Family Madrigal”Asks: What’s the deal with all of that? We shout back: Yes!
3. “Surface Pressure”
Jessica Darrow is one the greatest discoveries of all time “Encanto,” “Surface Pressure”Here is her chance. Darrow portrays Luisa, a member of the Madrigal families whose strength is used by the family as well as the community. It’s a song about the pressure that comes with strength, and it’s a banger. Luisa discusses everything that weighs on her with a hip-hop beat and a skittering melody.“Was Hercules ever like, yo I don’t wanna fight Cerberus”) But unlike some of the songs, this isn’t just a biographical tune. It speaks to the mystery Luisa witnessed (of the family falling apart and the magic being extinguished), and what is at stake if the magic is upended. It gives context and adds stakes. And it’s one of the very best musical numbers of the movie, full of whimsical, oversized imagery. Without the more intense visuals “Surface Pressure”It is still completely legal. This is one you should definitely play loud. Luisa demands it.
2. “We Don’t Talk About Bruno”
Here it is. This is the greatest hit. “Encanto” soundtrack. It’s a huge hit. It is part of what makes “We Don’t Talk About Bruno”It is amazing how we can see Bruno, a shunned family member, as he (as Mirabel sings), saw the future, then vanished, from different family members. He was a disaster on a wedding day. He is terrifying! He has rats living in his house! Etc. Of course! “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” is nonstop fun, with some of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s sharpest, most vivid writing, alternately goofy, haunting, and moving. There’s also a fair amount of storytelling that takes place, and things that you’ll only catch after listening a few times (like Dolores faintly singing “I can hear him right now” because he’s still in the house). This sequence really brings the family to life. You can see their perspectives, their relationships, and how they seem to want him back. They don’t talk about Bruno, but they sure do sing about him. The song is also a benefit from not being too attached to the visually stunning musical number. “We Don’t Talk About Bruno”is genius by itself.
1. “Dos Oruguitas”
There’s been a lot of talk that Disney screwed up by nominating “Dos Oruguitas”You can vote instead for Best Original Song Oscar “We Don’t Talk About Bruno.” But here’s the thing: nobody knew that “We Don’t Talk About Bruno”This would be a big hit. It would be a hit. “Dos Oruguitas”The better song is. Lin-Manuel’s original song, written entirely in Spanish. It soundtracks a flashback in which Mirabel learns about the hardships that her grandmother had to endure when she founded the casita. It’s a moment of extreme tenderness, giving us additional information about Abuela and making huge strides in terms of the relationship between Mirabel and Abuela (which will ultimately heal the entire family). The fact that it is sung entirely in Spanish doesn’t matter (and if you’re really curious, there’s an English-language version on the soundtrack). This makes the song even more powerful. Sebastian Yatra was a brilliant young man who sang the song. Miranda stated that Miranda wanted the song to sound like a 100 year-old folk song. Mission accomplished. (The movie’s final sequence is stunning and is arguably the most memorable part of the movie. The visuals aside, the song will still make your heart pound, regardless of whether or not you speak Spanish. That’s really something.