The New Wave: 5 Shocking Facts About The Moana 2 Soundtrack Composers (And Why Lin-Manuel Miranda Didn't Return)

The highly anticipated musical journey of Moana 2 has set sail, and with it comes a seismic shift in the creative team responsible for its infectious, chart-topping soundtrack. As of December 2025, the official music credits reveal a powerful quartet of composers and songwriters, blending the cultural authenticity of the original film with the fresh, viral energy of a new, Grammy-winning duo. This article dives deep into the biographies, musical styles, and the challenging task of creating a sequel score that lives up to the impossible standard set by the first film, all while navigating the notable absence of its original superstar songwriter.

The musical landscape of the sequel is a thrilling combination of established Disney veterans and groundbreaking newcomers, marking a significant moment in the studio’s history. The new team faced the immense pressure of following up a phenomenon, but their diverse backgrounds—from Broadway-style pop to authentic Pacific rhythms—promise an unforgettable auditory experience that honors Moana’s heritage while pushing the story into uncharted waters.

The Moana 2 Composer Team: A Detailed Biography Profile

The music for Moana 2 is a collective effort, featuring a unique blend of talent responsible for the score, original songs, and cultural guidance. Here is a complete profile of the four composers and songwriters who crafted the soundtrack.

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• Abigail Barlow (Songwriter)
  • Role in Moana 2: Co-Songwriter of Original Songs
  • Born: November 9, 1998 (Age 27 as of late 2025)
  • Nationality: American
  • Key Works: The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical, "The Bedroom" (viral TikTok song)
  • Accolades: Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album (for The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical)
  • Fun Fact: She and Emily Bear became the youngest recipients of the Grammy in that category, and the first to win for music originating on TikTok.
• Emily Bear (Songwriter)
  • Role in Moana 2: Co-Songwriter of Original Songs, Composer, Arranger
  • Born: April 13, 2001 (Age 24 as of late 2025)
  • Nationality: American
  • Key Works: The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical, Performances with Quincy Jones, Classical and Jazz Compositions
  • Accolades: Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album, ASCAP Foundation's Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composer Award
  • Fun Fact: A piano prodigy, she performed at the White House and Carnegie Hall before she was a teenager.
• Mark Mancina (Score Composer & Song Contributor)
  • Role in Moana 2: Score Composer, Contributor to Original Songs
  • Born: March 9, 1957 (Age 68 as of late 2025)
  • Nationality: American
  • Key Works: Moana (2016), Tarzan, The Lion King, Speed, Twister
  • Accolades: Grammy Award, Tony Award (for The Lion King musical)
  • Significance: A veteran Disney composer, he returns to anchor the film's instrumental score and continue the established sonic world of Oceania.
• Opetaia Foaʻi (Song Contributor & Cultural Consultant)
  • Role in Moana 2: Contributor to Original Songs, Cultural Music Consultant
  • Born: 1960 (Age 65 as of late 2025)
  • Nationality: Tokelauan and Tuvaluan (based in New Zealand)
  • Key Works: Moana (2016), Founder/Lead Singer of the band Te Vaka, "We Know The Way"
  • Accolades: Numerous Pacific Music Awards
  • Significance: His work is crucial for providing the authentic, contemporary, and traditional Polynesian musical elements that define the franchise's sound.

The Viral Sensation: Barlow & Bear’s Historic Disney Debut

The biggest story surrounding the Moana 2 soundtrack is the introduction of Barlow & Bear—the songwriting duo of Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear. Their journey from internet fame to Disney's A-list is a modern Hollywood fairy tale.

From TikTok to Grammy: The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical

Barlow and Bear shot to global prominence in 2021 by creating The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical. The concept began as a series of viral TikTok videos where they wrote original songs inspired by the hit Netflix series, *Bridgerton*. The project quickly gained millions of views, leading them to independently write, record, and produce a full concept album in just six weeks.

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This unprecedented, fan-driven project culminated in a historic win at the 2022 Grammy Awards for Best Musical Theater Album. Their success was revolutionary, proving that a major, award-winning musical could be born entirely from social media. This modern, pop-infused, yet narratively sharp songwriting style is what they bring to the world of Moana.

A New Sound for Moana’s Journey

Disney's decision to hire Barlow & Bear was a bold move, signifying a shift toward embracing contemporary talent and social media influence. They are the first female songwriting duo and among the youngest composers ever hired by the studio for a feature film.

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Their task was to craft new, memorable original songs that could stand alongside the classics from the first film. The new tracks, such as "Beyond" and "We’re Back," are designed to be Moana's new anthems, exploring themes of growth, expanded horizons, and the call of the ocean, all while maintaining a pop sensibility.

The Return of the Originals: Mancina and Foaʻi’s Essential Role

While Barlow & Bear capture the headlines, the cultural and cinematic backbone of the music remains with the returning veterans: Mark Mancina and Opetaia Foaʻi. Their presence ensures continuity and respect for the franchise’s Polynesian roots.

Mark Mancina: The Score's Anchor

Mark Mancina is the score composer for Moana 2, meaning he is responsible for the instrumental, non-vocal music that underscores the action and emotion of the film. Mancina’s expertise lies in blending traditional orchestral scoring with world music elements, a style perfected in films like *Tarzan* and *The Lion King*.

His challenge for the sequel was to "one-up" the original score, creating a more expansive, adventurous soundscape to match Moana’s new, grander voyage. He worked closely with Opetaia Foaʻi to integrate authentic Pacific instrumentation into the sweeping orchestral movements, ensuring the score feels both epic and deeply rooted in the culture of Oceania.

Opetaia Foaʻi: The Voice of Oceania

Opetaia Foaʻi, the founder of the band Te Vaka, is arguably the most crucial link to the original film’s cultural authenticity. His contributions are not just songs, but a vital link to the music, language, and spirit of the Pacific Islands.

Foaʻi’s role as a cultural music consultant ensures that the Polynesian chants, rhythms, and vocal arrangements—heard in tracks like "Tulou Tagaloa"—are respectfully and accurately represented. He collaborated with Mancina on the overall score and with Barlow & Bear on the new songs, acting as the guardian of the musical heritage that makes the Moana franchise so distinct and powerful.

The Elephant in the Room: Why Lin-Manuel Miranda Stepped Aside

The most pressing question for fans was the absence of Lin-Manuel Miranda, the mastermind behind the original film's iconic songs, including the Oscar-nominated "How Far I’ll Go" and the smash hit "You're Welcome."

Scheduling Conflicts and a New Direction

Miranda's non-involvement in Moana 2 was primarily due to cumulative scheduling conflicts. At the time the sequel was being developed, Miranda was deeply engaged in other high-profile Disney projects, notably the live-action remake of *The Little Mermaid* and the prequel film *Mufasa: The Lion King*.

Miranda himself confirmed that "there was never an opportunity" to be on Moana 2, passing the torch to the new songwriters. This transition was not a sign of creative dissatisfaction, but a practical necessity given his packed slate.

The Challenge of Following a Legend

The new musical team openly acknowledged that replacing Miranda was the sequel's biggest challenge. Miranda’s songs are known for their rapid-fire lyrics, Broadway-style complexity, and infectious pop hooks. Barlow & Bear had to find a way to honor the spirit of the original music while establishing their own unique identity.

The new songs are described as having a distinctive Barlow & Bear sound—a blend of contemporary pop and musical theatre, but carefully woven into the established Oceanic soundscape provided by Mancina and Foa’i. This collaboration ensures that the music is both fresh and familiar, a continuation of the journey rather than a complete overhaul.

Key LSI Entities and Musical Themes in Moana 2

The Moana 2 soundtrack is rich with themes and musical entities that build on the world established in the first film. The composition team focused on expanding the sonic palette while reinforcing the core narrative.

• Oceania Music: The foundation of the score, featuring traditional Pacific instruments like the pate (slit drum) and ukulele, blended with the orchestral score.
• Cultural Authenticity: Opetaia Foaʻi’s primary contribution, ensuring the music accurately reflects the diverse cultures of Polynesia, Samoa, Fiji, and Tokelau.
• The Call of the Ocean: A recurring musical motif representing Moana’s destiny, which Mancina had to evolve to reflect her new role as a wayfinder.
• The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical: The Grammy-winning project that launched Barlow & Bear, providing a crucial context for their pop-theatre songwriting style.
• Dwayne Johnson’s Singing: Maui's return means another song, and Barlow & Bear had the task of writing a track that would suit Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's vocal range and personality.
• New Anthem "Beyond": The key new song by Barlow & Bear, positioned to be the sequel's equivalent of "How Far I'll Go," focusing on the theme of seeking new horizons.
• Te Vaka: Opetaia Foaʻi’s band, whose unique sound is integral to the authentic vocal and choral arrangements in both films.

The Moana 2 soundtrack is a testament to successful collaboration, proving that a major franchise can evolve its musical identity while honoring its roots. The combination of Barlow & Bear’s fresh perspective, Mark Mancina’s veteran orchestration, and Opetaia Foaʻi’s cultural grounding ensures the film’s music will be a powerful force in the new Disney era.