Elemental (soundtrack)

Elemental (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) is the soundtrack album to the 2023 Disney/Pixar film of the same name. The original score is composed and conducted by Thomas Newman in his fourth Pixar film, following Finding Nemo (2003), WALL-E (2008), and Finding Dory (2016). Elemental is Newman's first Pixar film not to be directed by Andrew Stanton. Director Peter Sohn collaborated with Newman to tell an emotional story of a character caught between two worlds to musically bring Elemental to life. Newman used cultural influences from across the globe using Chinese and Indian instruments by incorporating elements to reflect the global story. The instruments of sitar, mandolins and brass all fit his search for scoring the film, though the electronic wind instrument can be heard throughout.

The scoring was held at Newman Scoring Stage and Fox Studio Lot in Los Angeles. In addition to instrumental tracks, the soundtrack included an original song called "Steal the Show" performed by Lauv, who wrote music alongside Newman and lyrics alongside Michael Matosic. The song was released on June 2, 2023, two weeks ahead of the release of the movie and soundtrack. The score was released by Walt Disney Records on June 16, 2023, the same day as the film's theatrical release.

It received mostly positive reception for incorporating many elements of cultural influences from eastern countries, particularly Indian music.

Background
On February 7, 2023, Thomas Newman was confirmed to compose the score for Elemental. It marks Newman's fourth collaboration with Pixar after Finding Nemo (2003), WALL-E (2008), and Finding Dory (2016), as well as his first film with the studio not to be directed by Andrew Stanton. Director Peter Sohn noted that Pixar brought back Newman to collaborate with Sohn to tell an emotional story of a character caught between two worlds to musically bring Elemental to life. Sohn stated, "It was a dream to just get to work with Thomas Newman; he's just been someone that I've always admired. I say that because I used a lot of his music as temp and when making the reels."

One of the biggest challenges for scoring the film was the opening montage where Bernie and Cinder Lumen immigrate to Element City. To ensure that Elemental was a global story, Newman used cultural influences from across the globe using Chinese and Indian instruments by incorporating elements. The sitar, mandolins and brass instruments all fit his search, although the electronic wind instrument can be heard, which is accompanying a male vocalist for Newman by saying, "It was about taking certain sounds from the EWI and the vocals and combining them... it gave that sense of color and spirit".

On June 2, 2023, it was announced that Lauv performed the original song called "Steal the Show" that played during Ember and Wade's first date as well as end credits, which was released that day. On writing the song, Lauv sat down with Newman, who gave him a couple of sounds that he was working with.

Additional music
The track "Hell n Back" by Bakar was featured in the first trailer of the film, and "High Five" by Astral was featured in the second trailer. The track "Hot n Cold" by Katy Perry was also featured in some TV Spots for the film. The tracks were used for promotional purposes, and was neither featured in the soundtrack, nor in the film. Although it was not included from the soundtrack, the song "Kernkraft 400" (credited as "Kernkraft 400 - Sport Chant Stadium Remix") from Zombie Nation plays during the airball game at Cyclone Stadium. Sohn had suggested using the song which is a fixture at sporting events around the world because Gale Cumulus does not have a cue or motif.

Reception
Qualbert praise for incorporating many elements of Indian music, saying "Does the soundtrack steal the show? Well with Thomas Newman (Finding Nemo, WALL-E) as composer, it might just be my highlight of the film. His score is as beautiful and full of warmth as the flame elements that it represents, with much of the music taking a distinctly Indian tone. Sitar and Tabla are key instruments throughout the soundtrack, representing Ember and her family, and can even be heard alongside Konnokol (Indian vocal percussion)." Matt Neglia of Next Best Picture stated: "Thomas Newman's soothing score is magnificent and easily the best he's composed yet for a Pixar film, as it incorporates many cultural influences from eastern countries (but never anything too specific so as not to stereotype the Lumen family) to create a soundscape that is playfully cordial and appealing." He also praised original song, stating: "The song 'Steal the Show' by Lauv, which plays during Wade and Ember's first date, is a winning track that should enjoy some decent radio play and also aids in giving the film its feel-good vibe."

Accolades
In December 2023, the score was shortlisted for Best Original Score at the 96th Academy Awards.