Moana 2’s Finest Track Comes From A Character Largely Hidden From Advertising

This text incorporates spoilers for “Moana 2.”

“Moana” is arguably the very best movie from Walt Disney Animation Studios within the final 10 years, which meant “Moana 2” had a fairly large shadow solid upon it from the very starting. Initially supposed to be a sequel collection for Disney+, “Moana 2” was introduced as a theatrical function again in February 2024, and the Home of Mouse has been preserving plot particulars fairly near the chest. Again in August, a trailer was unleashed through the D23 celebration, which gave followers a have 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 principally unseen risk, cloaked in darkish purple mild, that challenges everybody’s favourite wayfinder. Not a lot is understood about this film’s Large Dangerous, which is able to seemingly be an incredible shock for audiences after they watch the movie and notice that not solely is that this character not the Large Dangerous, however she’s additionally the supply of the very best tune 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 Finest Authentic Track in an Animated Movie, however for my cash, it is the tune “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. Nevertheless, “Get Misplaced” is considerably of a mysterious quantity — a cross between the deception of “Mom Is aware of Finest” from “Tangled,” Ursula’s feigned empathy with “Poor Unlucky Souls” in “The Little Mermaid,” and the outright denial of fact 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 underneath the guise of a risk. Matangi is telling Moana she must embrace chaos, stay dangerously, and cease being so strict with following the foundations, 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 reveals, 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 feel the tune could have an analogous Billboard chart-shattering efficiency, however as a result of it’s extremely clearly the very best tune 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 sturdy, and a part of that energy is their distinctive method to songwriting that differentiates from Lin-Manuel Miranda’s fashion. “Get Misplaced” is the very best instance of that, and I apologize upfront for a way usually you will be singing it round the home.