When Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear were entrusted with the task of creating original music for Walt Disney Animation Studios' Moana 2, their creative minds were brimming with ideas. Having witnessed the original film in theaters, they were as eager as any fan to explore the new adventures that awaited Moana, Maui, and the people of Motunui.

It's a Dream Come True

"It's an extraordinary honor," Barlow, who was a high school student when Moana hit theaters in 2016, expressed about writing songs for the sequel. "The thought that children worldwide will listen to these songs and want to sing along is like a dream come true."For Barlow and Bear, known professionally as Barlow & Bear, they hold a special place as the first all-female writing team to craft all the songs for an animated Disney feature film and the youngest composers to achieve this feat. Given their similar age to Moana, they were perfectly positioned to tell her story through music, encompassing her biggest dreams, emotions, fears, and hopes."It's quite amusing because when we first got the job, I wasn't much older than Moana in the story," Bear shared. "Being able to write for a peer and relate our own struggles to hers made it effortless for us to step into Moana's shoes."

The Journey of Moana 2

Directed by Jason Hand, Dana Ledoux Miller, and David Derrick Jr., produced by Yvett Merino and Christina Chen, and written by Jared Bush and Miller, Moana 2 follows Moana as she traverses the distant seas of Oceania in perilous, long-forgotten waters to unite communities."She's a bit older and wiser - precisely three years older," Barlow explained. As everything in Moana's world has expanded over time, the music needed to capture that essence. "We aimed to showcase that evolution not only in the music but also in the lyrics.""Each character we've encountered in Moana has undergone changes and growth. Maui has transformed, Tui has evolved, and Moana herself has changed," Bear added, citing songs like "Beyond," "Can I Get a Chee Hoo?," and "We're Back" as examples. "We also had the joy of composing music for the new characters, which allowed us to create a fresh sound."

The Experience of Writing

So, what was it like to write music for Moana 2, which shattered box office records in its debut weekend?"It's like having a daydream in the middle of the day," Barlow said during an interview at Walt Disney Animation Studios in Burbank, California. "Regardless of the kind of day you're having when you enter this building, it all fades away. Being part of the Disney legacy is an incomparable experience." Reflecting further, she emphasized that being asked to write music for Moana 2 was an unforgettable journey that had made her a better writer.As a lifelong Disney Animation fan, Bear treasured working with the filmmakers and getting a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the movie magic."It was fascinating to observe how their minds worked as they dissected and reconstructed elements. Being a part of those conversations and having the music play a crucial role in the storytelling process was incredible," Bear said. "We grew up with Disney music like everyone else. Our story may not be unique in that regard, but it has become the soundtrack of our lives. Seeing the inner workings of how something like this is created is truly surreal."

The Impact on Audiences

With Disney Animation's Moana 2 now screening in theaters, Bear hopes that audiences feel as if they are embarking on the journey alongside Moana."This world, both in terms of sound and visuals, is incredibly immersive," she said. "It's lush and rich. I believe that's why the first film was so successful; it transported you to a place you could never have reached otherwise. So, I hope Moana 2 takes you back to that magical realm."