Every great adventure needs the perfect soundtrack.
As we continue to inch closer towards stepping through the portal and into the magical world of DreamWorks Animation’s upcoming film “Forgotten Island,” there is still plenty left for us to discover about Jo and Raissa’s supernatural adventure.
And this time, we are turning up the volume.
Ahead of the film’s theatrical arrival on September 25, the full soundtrack for “Forgotten Island” has now been revealed. Bringing together some major names in Filipino and Filipino-American music including BINI, SB19, Lea Salonga, H.E.R., KATSEYE’s Sophia Laforteza, Ruby Ibarra and more.
Though having such a strong collection of artists attached to an animated feature is exciting enough, what makes the music of “Forgotten Island” even more interesting is how closely it appears to be connected to the world, culture and emotional heart of the film itself.
“Forgotten Island” follows best friends Jo and Raissa, voiced by H.E.R. and Liza Soberano, as they embark on what is supposed to be one final adventure together. Yet things quickly take a magical turn when the pair find themselves traveling through a mysterious portal and entering a world filled with shapeshifters, demons, witches and creatures inspired by Filipino mythology.
As Jo and Raissa find themselves further removed from the world they know, the sounds surrounding them will change right alongside their adventure.
Composer Nathan Matthew David has drawn inspiration from the sounds of the 1980s and ‘90s while also incorporating Filipino musical traditions and instruments into the score. Traditional instruments, indigenous musical influences, Tagalog vocals and even the Las Piñas bamboo pipe organ are being used to help create the sound of Nakali.
It is a musical direction that could help make this magical world feel all the more distinct, while introducing younger audiences around the world to sounds they may have never encountered before.
Some of the biggest names joining the adventure are BINI, who perform the new song “A Parallel World,” as well as an additional “Amping Mix” featuring Lea Salonga. SB19 will also put their own spin on Francis M.’s classic “Mga Kababayan.”
H.E.R. and Liza Soberano are getting musical moments of their own, performing the film’s title track “BRB” as well as “Jerk in the Box.”
KATSEYE’s Sophia Laforteza will bring another familiar song into this new world with a cover of INXS’ “Never Tear Us Apart,” which will accompany an emotional moment between Jo and Raissa.
But perhaps one of the most intriguing additions comes from a voice animation fans know very well.
Disney Legend Lea Salonga is trading princesses for something considerably more frightening as she takes on the role of the mythical Manananggal.
And Salonga isn’t only lending her voice to the character.
Her vocals have been woven throughout Nathan Matthew David’s score, appearing across tracks including “Ninakaw Sa Akin,” “Magnanakaw,” “Balik,” “Bahagi Mo” and the “Ang Manananggal Suite.” Salonga even adjusted her performance to create a deeper voice that would contrast with H.E.R. and Soberano, helping make this creature sound just as unsettling as she may look.
Yet beneath all of the magic, monsters and musical talent, “Forgotten Island” still appears to be a story about friendship.
Tracks with titles such as “Forgotten Friendship,” “Without You,” “Memories Are Magic” and “Paalam, Nakali” certainly hint that Jo and Raissa’s journey through this magical world may pull on our heartstrings just as much as it thrills us.
Which only makes us even more curious about exactly what waits for these two friends on the other side of that portal.
The “Forgotten Island” soundtrack will be released on September 18, giving fans a full week to become acquainted with the sounds of Nakali before the DreamWorks Animation film arrives in theaters on September 25.
So get ready to turn up the music.
Because this forgotten world is getting ready to be heard.
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