Released at the end of last year at cinemas before making it made its way to Disney+, the studio's 60th animated movie follows a family who has been bestowed powers from their beloved and magical house. Except for the protagonist Mirabel, who never received anything from it.
Encanto certainly has one of the best soundtracks among Disney's recent musicals and with Lin-Manuel Miranda as a songwriter for Disney once again, it's not hard to see why it has recently been nominated for the Annie and Golden Globe Awards. But among these eight songs, which one hits the highest note?
"Colombia, Mi Encanto"
Playing after the film has finished and goes into the credits, audiences are treated to Carlos Vives' vibrant and colorful singing. The famed Latin musician and performer has won countless awards within the Colombian music industry and as the film takes place in his beloved country, he is certainly a fitting choice to bring this song to life.
While he does sing entirely in Spanish, his voice shines throughout. It's just a shame that this only plays as audiences would either leave the cinema or turn off their televisions as this is certainly one of the most feel-good end-credits Disney songs.
"All Of You"
Near the end of the film, the family comes together and supports one another after a climactic and devastating incident occurs. But the people from the town they have helped to look after for so many years come to their time of need.
With the theme of togetherness, it's only fitting that the actors behind the characters of The Madrigals perform this song, using each of their own styles of singing to create a brilliant ensemble. They are all able to bring Miranda's lyrics on acceptance and fresh starts beautifully to anyone's ears and will surely strike a chord with some audiences.
"What Else Can I Do"
While not the closest sisters like Elsa and Anna from Frozen, audiences see the tension between Mirabel and her oldest sister Isabela, who has the power to create flowers and plants. Perceived as the perfect child in the family, it's not surprising to see that Mirabel dislikes her sister's uptight behavior and smug attitude.
So, when she finally confronts Isabela on her feelings, she discovers that her sister hates trying to be perfect for everyone in this song, and over the course of this musical number, they both become closer as siblings. She also embraces the new and what she can create without having to worry about it being perfect, all while performed by Diane Guerrero and Stephanie Beatriz.
"Waiting On A Miracle"
After her youngest cousin, Antonio, receives his powers from the house and his own, magical room, the family gets invited to appear in a celebratory photo, except for Mirabel. As the only one to not receive a gift of power from their home, it's no surprise to see her left out when the family assists the community or her contributions being unrecognized by the matriarch of the house: her grandmother, Alma.
Performed by Stephanie Beatriz, this is one of the two solo pieces for Mirabel (the other being "The Family Madrigal") and is in complete contrast to it. It's emotional and empathetic, yet it's also a powerful song too as the reserved Mirabel finally expresses her inner thoughts and feelings while the animators slow down everything going on around her, creating a memorable and impactful moment in the film.
"Dos Oruguitas"
The first of two songs within the soundtrack to be sung entirely in Spanish, Dos Oruguitas not just explores the history of the founding of the town and the community, but how Alma met her true love and the father to her children, Pedro. As the song plays, we see a flashback to events of how they both met and started a loving family, only to be forced to flee from their home.
The lyrics translate in English as a story about two caterpillars and the changing world that they're in, growing into butterflies so that they can find their own future. Colombian musician Sebastian Yatra performs this song, giving this dramatic backstory an extra elegant and emotional touch that fits perfectly with the theme of the film and the accompanying animation sequence. Let's hope that this or one of these wonderful songs from this soundtrack will be one of the many Disney songs nominated for an Oscar.
"The Family Madrigal"
The opening song to Encanto and the first solo number for actor Stephanie Beatriz, audiences have a lot to unpack from this song. Not also does it introduce everyone to Mirabel (who Beatriz plays), but it also introduces us to all the members of the family and their powers as well as the magical house that they all live in.
And yet despite the vast undertaking, Lin-Manuel Miranda and the filmmakers were able to accomplish this flawlessly and set the tone and dynamics between key characters along with the notes. Furthermore, it's an energetic and fun song that is sure to be one that anyone will surely dance, or at the very least, smile along with one of the most likable characters in Encanto.
"Surface Pressure"
After seeming to see cracks appear across the house, Mirabel talks to Luisa, one of her oldest sisters, to see if she knows why cracks appeared and if the magic will be in danger. But the persistent Mirabel finally gets to Luisa, who goes into her solo song "Surface Pressure."
The song explores the pressure that Luisa feels continuously from the community and her family and how all she wants to do is relax and let go. But with her superstrength, she is always needed, hiding away her true feelings. Jessica Darrow, who performs as Luisa, is able to shift the tones to match her inner and outer moods that are reflected and explored throughout the rest of the film.
"We Don't Talk About Bruno"
It's no surprise that this would have made it to the top spot. When Mirabel goes into her uncle Bruno's abandoned room and finds fragments of a future vision that he saw, she asks her family why no one talks about Bruno.
This leads to arguably the most memorable song throughout the entire soundtrack as this ensemble piece of key characters and supporting cast members sing about the devastating and seemingly wicked Bruno and his powers of seeing the future. Featuring multiple styles from the featured artists, this varied song helps to make it a unique and fun number to hum and sing to. But for fans of this film, it also sets the tragedy of Bruno himself and how even with powers, he is just as much an outcast as Mirabel herself.