Netflix's newest animated extravaganza Vivo is big on heart and even bigger on music. The touching story begins as a buddy guy narrative about Andrés Hernández and his faithful kinkajou Vivo (a rainforest honey bear, for the uninitiated) who are modern day minstrels in Havana, Cuba. They serenade locals and tourists with lively Cubana music mixed with RnB and casual hip-hop, made by the inimitable Lin-Manuel Miranda of Hamilton fame.
Andrés, one of the best characters in Vivo, passes in the first quarter of the film, and Vivo vows to fulfill his companion's last wish — to deliver his last song to the love of his life, songstress Marta Sandoval. The singing kinkajou sets of on the adventure of a lifetime, aptly punctuated with lyrical swinging songs, along with the old man's niece Gabi, treating audiences to some memorable melodies which ranged from good to smashing.
Tough Crowd
This brief ditty is sung by Vivo when he's fighting with Lutador, in an attempt to save Gabi and the Sand Dollars from being eaten by the giant snake. The song is satisfied with its pace and upbeat tempo during the scene, but it doesn't have the power the other ballads have in the movie.
Sung and written by Lin-Manuel Miranda, 'Tough Crowd' had the potential to be a hip-hop gem like 'My Own Drum,' if only it had been explored beyond the half-minute mark.
Running Out Of Time
Performed by almost the entire cast of the movie including Zoe Saldanha, Gloria Estefan, and Chris Jackson, 'Running Out of Time' is a fast-paced tune that matched the frenzy felt by Gabi and Vivo when they were struggling to reach the Mambo Cabana before Marta went on stage for her last performance.
One of the few songs on the soundtrack which doesn't have Havana-inspired beats, it makes up for in Spanish lyrics. However, the heavily electronic beats felt a bit lackluster compared to the other songs in the movie.
Keep The Beat
Perfect for the moment when Vivo decided to trust Gabi, the highlight of this song are the beautiful lyrics, notably "Remember the size of the world before/ It was you and I." Miranda's vocals soar across a plain melody, intertwining well with Ynairaly Simo's youthful voice.
The gradual crescendo it reaches is pleasant to hear in the movie, and it signified an important turn in Vivo's and Gabi's relationship, but it didn't impress mightily.
One More Song
The kinkajou's tribute to his late companion was a sweet tune. It boasted a combination of drums, violins, Cuban tres, and maracas in a surprisingly soothing melody that blooms into one with pomp and splendor, reminiscent of flamboyant show tunes on Broadway, much like Hamilton.
This song is a good mix of traditional instrumenting with dramatic horns and flair, and the weight of Andrés' death makes it a bittersweet but meaningful one.
Grand Finale
A fitting number for the end of an emotional journey, 'Grand Finale' echoed 'One of A Kind' in its structure and visualization as well. It was heartwarming to see Gabi take her tio's place as a troubadour in Florida along with little Vivo, and the celebratory song made the scene even better.
The lilting chords of the tres took center stage, blended with Florida-appropriate rap. With a mish-mash of lyrics making an appearance from other songs in the movie, this happy-go-lucky song was a fun one to listen to in the context of the movie but may seem derivative as a solo listen.
Mambo Cabana
More than the animation, it was the sparkling music that helped establish the setting and tone of Vivo. Lin-Manuel Miranda used gorgeous Cuban hooks and melodies and breathed new life into them with his novel production.
'Mambo Cabana' was one such song that showcased the musical culture of Havana, the laidback friendliness of the region, as well as the vocal prowess of the artists. It ranks high on this list because the song would make for a great listen outside the context of the movie too.
¡Presente!
Feverishly paced, with minimal but powerful vocals from Gloria Estefan, '¡Presente!' is an instant foot-tapper. In fact, this song makes sure that the listener wants to get up and dance instantly if they aren't already swaying with the vibrant drums and percussion featured in this Cubana earworm.
Sung by Andrés long-time lady love Marta in the movie, the only thing that could elevate this rambunctious song would be more lyrics so audiences could hear more of Estefan's glorious voice.
Inside Your Heart
Lyrically, 'Inside Your Heart' is redolent of John Denver's song about jet planes, but the music is of the rhythmic Spanish kind that lulls an audience into a good mood. The last song which prompted Vivo to undertake the expedition to Marta in Miami, André's emotions play the biggest role in this love song.
Gloria Estefan's soulful singing is par excellence, and the song embodies the love that the old man kept so close to his heart, unraveling it gently for viewers to take in as Marta performs for the last time on stage.
One Of A Kind
The opening song of the movie is a sensational one, as one would come to expect of the mega-talented Lin-Manuel Miranda. The deep bass of Juan de Marcos Gonzalez's voice strikes an unexpectedly perfect balance with Miranda's fast-paced rap. Vivo has a bunch of genre-bending and mashup songs, but this is by far one of the best.
The tempo changes keep the song fresh for the ears, but it still respects the original salsa music that it draws from. 'One of A Kind' hit right where it was supposed to and set the tone for the movie extremely well.
Love's Gonna Pick You Up
A surprise love song between two goofy spoonbills turned out to be one of the best sounds in Vivo. Happy and uplifting, the heavenly choral harmonies on this track have got viewers hooked, with many demanding a full version, and with good reason.
The R&B influence is clearly heard in the track, and the cutesy and sometimes funny lyrics of the songs don't detract from the song but give it a memorable spin instead. Aneesa Folds vocals are a joy to listen to.
My Own Drum (Remix) With Missy Elliot
Unapologetically loud and catchy, 'My Own Drum' is performed by 13-year-old Ynairaly Simo with huge spunk and confidence, making it the stand-out song in a lineup of already stellar tracks. Listeners lean towards the remix because it fittingly features vocals by Missy Elliot in addition to Simo's boisterous rap.
The universal appeal is what makes this the best song in Vivo — this could easily be the go-to song for a preteen, a young adult, or anybody in need of a pick-me-up. The unexpectedly good soundtrack is the highlight of the movie.