BINI, SB19 and Lea Salonga Lead ‘Forgotten Island’ Soundtrack (EXCLUSIVE)

The complete track list for DreamWorks Animation's upcoming feature "Forgotten Island" has finally been unveiled, and the project boasts an impressively diverse lineup of musical talent. Leading the charge are Filipino pop sensations SB19 and BINI, alongside the legendary Broadway and Disney vocalist Lea Salonga. As previously disclosed, the soundtrack also features contributions from H.E.R. and Katseye's Sophia Laforteza, adding a mix of international star power to the proceedings.

The album is scheduled to drop on September 18, with the film itself hitting theaters a week later on September 25. The story centers on Jo and Raissa, voiced by H.E.R. and Liza Soberano respectively, two inseparable best friends who find themselves thrust into a final, unforgettable escapade. What begins as a simple outing spirals into a nightmarish ordeal filled with shapeshifters, demons, and witches, testing the very fabric of their bond as they navigate a magical portal and desperately try to find their way home. Notably, the musical landscape of the film is steeped in the sonic textures of the 1980s and '90s, with a particular emphasis on Filipino and Filipino-American cultural influences.

A standout moment comes in the form of a reimagined version of INXS's timeless hit "Never Tear Us Apart," performed by Katseye's Sophia Laforteza, which underscores a deeply emotional scene between the two protagonists. H.E.R. and Soberano themselves take the mic for the film's title track, "BRB." Adding to the eclectic mix, Filipino boy band SB19 delivers a cover of the beloved classic "Mga Kababayan" by the late Francis M., while Ruby Ibarra and Carl Angelo team up for the energetic "Salbahe Ako." The entire sonic tapestry is woven together by composer Nathan Matthew David, who deliberately leaned into the analog synth sounds of that bygone era to create an authentic backdrop.

In discussing his approach, David explained that the score incorporates elements of '80s pop and hip-hop, but the music takes a transformative turn when the girls stumble into the mystical portal and arrive on the island of Nakali. "The story evolves, and so does the sound," he noted. To deepen the cultural resonance, David integrated music and instruments from indigenous Filipino tribes, utilizing traditional tools like chanters and the historic Las Piñas bamboo pipe organ, all while a Filipino choir sings Tagalog phrases throughout. For the character of the dreaded Manananggal—a mythical creature voiced by Lea Salonga—David employed the gandingan, a traditional talking gong from the southern Philippines, to give the villain a truly unique and haunting sonic signature.

Getting Salonga, a Tony Award winner renowned for her roles in "Miss Saigon" and Disney's "Aladdin," to play a villain was a coup for directors Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado. Crawford revealed that they sent a pitch her way and heard back from her team almost immediately. However, after her initial yes, the directors began to worry that the part might not be substantial enough for an actress of her caliber. Mercado shared that Salonga was already aligned with their vision, understanding that the Manananggal didn't need excessive dialogue to be terrifying. "She elevated the material," Mercado said, adding that Salonga crafted the character's voice by listening to H.E.R. and Soberano's performances. She reportedly told them, "I'll change my voice so that it complements theirs. If they're a little higher, then I'll make the Manananggal deeper and speak from the gut." Her powerful vocals are woven throughout David's score. The album is available for pre-order now, with the full tracklisting and album art available for fans to explore.