Encanto [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack]

A Disney animated musical fantasy about a widow who takes shelter from armed conflict in a sentient house with her three children -- at least two of whom have supernatural powers -- Encanto opened in movie theaters in late 2021. Stephanie Beatriz (In the Heights, TV's Brooklyn Nine-Nine) stars as Mirabel Madrigal, the daughter without powers. Featuring songs by Broadway and Disney alum Lin-Manuel Miranda and a score by Germaine Franco (Coco, Dora and the Lost City of Gold), its accompanying soundtrack includes well over an hour of music from the film, including eight original songs. (One of them, "Dos Oruguitas," is reprised in English.) While focusing on Caribbean music-infused melodic fare, Miranda sneaks in some of his trademark hip-hop fusion on the comedic cast number "We Don't Talk About Bruno." The bulk of the soundtrack consists of over 20 score tracks that navigate acoustic folk music, rousing symphonic material, quiet poignancy, and tense atmosphere. Franco herself performed Latin and orchestral percussion as well as keyboards on the score. ~ Marcy Donelson