Moana 2 Songwriters Tease Spiritual Successor to "How Far I'll Go"

As a devoted Disney enthusiast with a lifelong affinity for musicals, I must say that I am beyond thrilled about the upcoming release of Moana 2! Having grown up listening to Lin Manuel Miranda’s captivating tunes from the original film, I was initially taken aback by his absence from the sequel. However, upon learning that Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear have joined the writing team, I couldn’t help but feel a wave of optimism wash over me.

A significant part of the enduring impact of the Disney movie Moana lies in its memorable music, penned by Lin Manuel Miranda, creator of Hamilton. Tunes such as “You’re Welcome” and “How Far I’ll Go” have become some of the most beloved Disney tunes from this millennium. Fans may be taken aback to discover that Moana 2 will not feature music by Miranda, but rather the new music will be created by Grammy-winning duo Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear, along with returning composers Opetaia Foa’i and Mark Mancina. Their aim is to keep the momentum going for Moana in her second adventure.

The standout number on the forthcoming soundtrack for “Moana 2” seems to be a tune titled “Beyond,” which is being marketed as a sort of continuation of the popular song, “How Far I’ll Go.” Notably, the original “Moana” track is mentioned in the lyrics of the new composition.

As I shared during my chat with Entertainment Weekly, it’s become clear that Moana 2 is not solely about one person’s journey anymore; it’s grown into something much bigger.

Bear also mentioned, “We felt it appropriate for her to show more vulnerability.” He explained, “‘Beyond’ is a touch darker than ‘How Far I’ll Go’ due to the increased stakes. She’s on the verge of making a life-altering decision, and she understands more about the world and its dangers, which can be intimidating.

Auli’i Cravalho discovered a deep, emotional bond with the movie “Beyond,” reflecting Moana’s transformation into a capable navigator and leader throughout the story.

As I took that hit square in my gaming avatar’s chest, I couldn’t help but reflect. Home is where I truly feel at ease, yet there’s a calling within me to venture as far as I can for my gaming community. The safety of ‘How Far I’ll Go’ is comforting, but it’s when I’m lost in the infinite digital universe that my true gaming spirit emerges.

Alongside the songs transporting Moana to various locations, her character also undergoes a vocal transformation in tunes such as “Beyond.

Cravalho stated, “This is a fresh aspect to my vocal performance that I haven’t delved into with Moana previously. This movie delves into the lower tones during moments of uncertainty when we’re unsure of our next steps. There are numerous deeper dimensions to these songs.

Moana 2 is set to hit theaters everywhere on November 27th.

2024-09-16 00:10

Moana 2 Songwriters Tease Spiritual Successor to “How Far I’ll Go”

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