Let’s Talk about Encanto- Even if: We Don’t Talk About Bruno

I watched Encanto and I absolutely loved it.

Plot

The Madrigals are an extraordinary family who live hidden in the mountains of Colombia in a charmed place called the Encanto. The magic of the Encanto has blessed every child in the family with a unique gift — every child except Mirabel. However, she soon may be the Madrigals last hope when she discovers that the magic surrounding the Encanto is now in danger.

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The story and the soundtrack were Magic just like the magic that Disney promises us. Lin Manuel Miranda is an absolute genius and a blessing to our generation.

Let’s start with the first song. The Family Madrigal. The opening song “The Family Madrigal” was inspired by “Belle“, the opener of Beauty and the Beast. In a similar fashion, It brings you up to date and lets you get involved with the story from the beginning 

Opening with The Family Madrigal- the first song, it pulls you in and gives a broad explanation of the family tree and their gifts. There’s a shape-shifter, a prophet, a healer, a strong Luisa, perfect Isabella and more — and then there’s Mirabel the muggle of the clan (She’s got no magic).

And those three kids asking for more: Loved that bit 

In its entirety, the soundtrack was just wholesome. I know we don’t talk about Bruno, but we’re going to talk about my favourite song on the soundtrack: We Don’t Talk About Bruno.

All the songs on the Encanto soundtrack were written by Lin-Manuel Miranda, who has time and time proved with musicals like “Hamilton” and “In the Heights” and Disney animation “Moana” that he definitely knows how to write a catchy song. For “We Don’t Talk About Bruno,”

If I didn’t know Lin wrote the soundtrack, I would have eventually figured it out by this song. You could see elements of what made us fall in love with the Hamilton Musical incorporated into this. Lin crafted a song with unique verses sung by different characters. Combining a variety of melodies that somehow work together in one song. With that interesting mashup at the end.

Fun tidbit: Lin-Miranda chose the name Bruno so he could work the lyric “Bruno, no, no, no” into the song.

He chose right since the song has successfully ear wormed itself in my brain and been living there rent-free since I first heard it.

I’ve listened to it at least over a hundred times since hearing it. I could be sitting with my siblings and I’d go 

Me: We don’t talk about Burno

Siblings: We don’t talk about “Bruno, no, no, no.

As of this writing, “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” is the No. 1 song on Spotify’s Top Songs–USA chart and “Surface Pressure,” another equally memorable tune, sits a few spots below it.

The Billboard Hot 100 chart for the week of Jan. 22 lists “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” at No. 4 and its growing popularity could push it all the way to the top spot.

“We Don’t Talk About Bruno” landing at the fourth spot means the track has officially surpassed “Let It Go,” one of the most beloved songs in the Disney canon, on the charts. The “Frozen” song peaked at No. 5 in 2015.

“We Don’t Talk About Bruno” is a viral, commercial success.

My other favourite on the soundtrack is Surface Pressure.

Surface Pressure is essentially, about the anxiety and stress that comes with the expectations of being perfect, an older sibling, or living up to the image everyone has of you. This song is Luisa’s story. Luisa who has the magical gift of strength and is the oldest sibling of the Madrigal family. Here Luisa admits her fears and vulnerability.  

The song was entirely relatable even if you’re not the eldest child. Surface pressure sings of the burden of responsibility in being the strong one, and in having to keep your cool even when you’re not.

I loved it, the lyrics video and the beats and that animation, it was amazing- they took us on the whole journey. Even though Luisa doesn’t entirely love it she’d want nothing more than to help her family and community and she takes strong pride in that. 

Other favourites on the album are What Else Can I Do? and All of You.

I’m not sure this was marketed or entirely for a young audience, because the movie had some literal interpretations and some things were left open to interpretation, but I enjoyed it and the messages in the movie were heard loud and clear. I loved the music, colours, animation and story. If you haven’t watched it yet this is your sign to do so. 

Once again Disney has brought magic to us as promised.