A soundtrack rooted in culture and heart
Sometimes a film’s greatest magic isn’t just found in its visuals or its story. In fact, it’s found in the music that gives its world a heartbeat. DreamWorks Animation’s Forgotten Island is shaping up to be more than an enchanting fantasy adventure. Through a soundtrack led by some of the most celebrated Filipino and Filipino-American artists of today, the film is becoming a powerful celebration of heritage, identity, and the universal language of music.
Set to make its debut at the Annecy Animation Film Festival before arriving in theaters later this year, Forgotten Island follows best friends Jo and Raissa, voiced by Grammy-winning artist H.E.R. and actress Liza Soberano, as they embark on one final adventure together. Their journey through a mystical portal into a world inhabited by shapeshifters, witches, and supernatural creatures tests not only their courage, but the unbreakable bond that has defined their friendship.
From the very beginning, authenticity was the mission.
Angela Leus, Senior Vice President of Film Music at Universal Pictures and a Filipina-American, worked closely with directors Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado to make sure that the soundtrack reflected the soul of the story. Rather than simply adding Filipino influences as decoration, the creative team committed themselves to highlighting generations of Filipino artistry. Introducing global audiences to both legendary performers and the next wave of groundbreaking talent.
That vision comes to life through an impressive lineup of artists, including P-Pop sensation BINI, whose original song “A Parallel World” captures the friendship between Jo and Raissa through a modern, uplifting lens. Produced by composer Nathan Matthew David and Shawn Wasabi, the track transforms the film’s central emotional theme into a fresh anthem for a new generation.
The soundtrack also delivers a powerful reinterpretation of INXS’ iconic “Never Tear Us Apart,” performed by KATSEYE member Sophia Laforteza. While the original recording represents the childhood bond between the film’s two protagonists, Sophia’s rendition symbolizes the evolution of their friendship as they grow, change, and navigate the challenges that come with discovering who they truly are.
At the heart of the soundtrack is “BRB,” the film’s title track performed by H.E.R. and Liza Soberano. The song was created organically after H.E.R. connected deeply with the story and felt inspired to write original music for the project. The inclusion of Tagalog in the track makes the moment even more significant, creating a rare opportunity for Filipino language and culture to resonate on a worldwide cinematic stage.
No celebration of Filipino music would be complete without the legendary Lea Salonga, whose vocal contributions bring another layer of emotional depth and musical storytelling to the film. Composer Nathan Matthew David also weaves traditional Filipino sounds throughout the score, incorporating indigenous instruments, the historic Las Piñas bamboo pipe organ, a Filipino choir, and Tagalog vocal elements that transform the fantasy world of Nakali into a place with a rich cultural identity.
The soundtrack’s diversity stretches even further with SB19’s interpretation of Francis M.’s classic “Mga Kababayan,” alongside Ruby Ibarra and Carl Angelo’s “Salbahe Ako”. Meanwhile, nostalgic hits like DMX’s “Party Up” and Baha Men’s “Who Let the Dogs Out” help establish the film’s playful ’80s and ’90s-inspired energy.
For directors Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado, the soundtrack represents the very heart of what makes Forgotten Island unique: giving Filipino artists a global stage while creating a musical experience that feels both deeply personal and universally relatable. In an era where audiences are increasingly seeking stories that embrace authentic cultural voices, Forgotten Island appears ready to make its mark not only as an animated adventure, but as a milestone in representation through music.
With artists like H.E.R., BINI, Sophia Laforteza, Lea Salonga, SB19, and many others bringing their voices to this world, Forgotten Island isn’t just telling a Filipino-inspired story. It’s creating a soundtrack that celebrates a culture, a community, and a legacy that has always deserved to be heard.
