H.E.R., Bini, Lea Salonga, Katseye’s Sophia Laforteza Lead Dreamworks Animation’s ‘Forgotten Island’ Soundtrack (EXCLUSIVE)

Dreamworks Animation is assembling an impressive lineup of musical talent for the soundtrack of its upcoming feature, "Forgotten Island." The roster includes global stars such as H.E.R., Bini, Lea Salonga, and Katseye’s Sophia Laforteza, alongside several other prominent artists. The film will debut with a preview at the Annecy Animation Film Festival next week, followed by a theatrical release later this year. This festival-first strategy mirrors the studio’s earlier approach with animated successes like "The Croods," where early buzz from such events helped build momentum before wider distribution. The Annecy festival, often referred to as the "Cannes of animation," serves as a critical launchpad for culturally rich projects, potentially amplifying their reach among international audiences.

At the heart of the story are best friends Jo and Raissa, voiced by H.E.R. and Liza Soberano, who set out on a final adventure together. Their journey turns dangerous when they encounter shapeshifters, demons, and witches during a night that tests their friendship, forcing them to navigate a magical portal to find their way home. The soundtrack draws heavily from the musical styles of the 1980s and 1990s, with a particular emphasis on Filipino and Filipino-American traditions. Angela Leus, Senior Vice President of Film Music at Universal Pictures and a Filipina-American, played a pivotal role in shaping this vision. Growing up in the Philippines surrounded by the music her parents loved, she saw the project as a chance to honor those influences and highlight Filipino artists across generations. "From the very beginning, I said, 'I need to be aware of every Filipino music creator out there,' so it was a deep dive and a lot of reaching out to our community in the Philippines and here," Leus explained. "It was about educating myself on who’s out there." This deliberate curation underscores a broader industry trend toward authentic representation, where studios increasingly tap into diaspora communities to enrich storytelling.

Following their acclaimed performances at Coachella, P-Pop sensation Bini contributes a new track titled "A Parallel World," produced by composer Nathan Matthew David and Shawn Wasabi. Leus identified the group early in the development process. "Joel and Jan had a very creative understanding of what the music was going to be, so it was very easy to come to them and say, 'There’s this group called Bini — they’re amazing.' It was a no-brainer and easy to get to that point," she noted. The song offers a fresh take on David’s friendship theme for Jo and Raissa. Bini, often called the "Nation’s Girl Group" in the Philippines, has seen a meteoric rise since their 2021 debut, with hits like "Pantropiko" amassing millions of streams globally. Meanwhile, Katseye’s Sophia Laforteza delivers a remixed version of INXS’s classic "Never Tear Us Apart," used during an emotional moment between the two friends. Leus explained that the original INXS recording was essential for establishing the characters’ friendship as young girls, but Laforteza’s new interpretation marks the evolution of their bond. "The song parallels their friendship and captures the journey from where they were to what they become," she added. This blending of classic rock with contemporary pop reflects a deliberate strategy to bridge generational gaps in the audience.

The film’s title track, "Forgotten Island," is performed by H.E.R. and Soberano, whose voices capture the nostalgia and warmth of their characters. Leus emphasized that the filmmakers didn’t want to pressure H.E.R. into creating an original song, but the artist was so inspired after seeing the film that she decided to write one, bringing in Soberano as a collaborator. "We’re so lucky to have that as the end result because it’s a perfect representation of Jo and Raissa in the story, but also of two strong Filipinas," Leus said. She also revealed that the song includes Tagalog lyrics, noting, "As a Filipina, hearing that song, seeing it on screen, and hearing the Tagalog language on a global stage is incredibly special." Lea Salonga’s contributions are equally significant, with David asking her to create vocalizations that enhance the film’s musicality. "She was able to bring that in a musical way while staying true to the story," Leus said. "Watching Lea Salonga work — she’s such a pro and a badass." Salonga, a Tony Award-winning actress known for her roles in "Miss Saigon" and "Les Misérables," brings decades of theatrical expertise to this animated project, adding depth to its auditory landscape. Her involvement also highlights how animated features increasingly leverage stage talent to elevate their musical scores.

Beyond original songs by SB19 and Ruby Ibarra, the soundtrack includes DMX’s "Party Up" and Baha Men’s "Who Let the Dogs Out." For the score, David leaned heavily on analog synths to evoke a nostalgic feel, incorporating elements of ’80s pop and hip-hop. However, when the characters enter the mystical island of Nakali, the sound evolves to include instruments from indigenous Filipino tribes, such as chanters and the Las Piñas bamboo pipe organ. A Filipino choir singing Tagalog phrases also features prominently. For Salonga’s dreaded creature, David used the gandingan, a traditional talking gong from the southern Philippines. Directors Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado expressed their excitement about the project. "What’s been thrilling for us all along is giving a voice to Filipino culture and Filipino stories, and seeing how that has translated into this freshness in the music," Crawford said. "Whether it’s having Bini perform — who’s sweeping the world with their talent — or having Sophia Laforteza bring a new perspective to a classic song like 'Never Tear Us Apart,' all these voices, which people may already be aware of, are now getting a center stage. It’s really cool." He added, "Many amazingly talented Filipino artists have come together to create this unified experience. We couldn’t have imagined it coming together this perfectly." This integration of indigenous elements not only enriches the film’s authenticity but also introduces global audiences to lesser-known musical traditions, potentially sparking broader interest in Filipino heritage. As Crawford noted, the project represents a convergence of talent that could redefine how animated films approach cultural representation.