Mustard saw this tweet from Flying Racoon Suit and it piqued their condiment curiosity. If you are not on social media platform Twitter, consider signing up for Flying Raccoon Suit’s tweets alone. Nonetheless, before Mustard dives into their review of the Minions: Rise of Gru soundtrack they recommend before or after reading this to go check out Flying Raccoon Suit. Your human ears will be thankful that you listened to both Afterglow and Afterthought.
Minions, from Mustard’s observation, are friends and followers of occasionally evil supervillain Gru. Human children, parents, and fans of animation have embraced this group of dastardly-but-decent characters into their homes and heart. Hollywood, short on ideas, has decided to fall onto one of its favorites and focus-grouped tested (presumably) cash cows: the origin story.
“Turn Up The Sunshine” by Dianna Ross and Tame Impala opens up the soundtrack. Mustard has not seen this film yet but can picture the minions doing fun and mischievous acts throughout the city while Gru discovers themselves. This song is an excellent choice to open up a commercial film such as this. It brings positive and good energy. Following this is Brittany Howard’s and Verdine White’s “Shining Star.” Has Gru gained his confidence to want to become an evil supervillain? Whatever has happened it is clear that Gru (or the minions) have shined in their mischief or troubles.
The third track is “Funkytown”, a place that Mustard has always wanted to visit by St. Vincent. Mustard is enjoying the disco aesthetic so far on the album. While disco may live on through Stu of Springfield this soundtrack provides him an ally. The party does not stop as BROCK-
HAMPTON’s “Hollywood Swinging” guarantees that human children will throw their popcorn onto the floor and dance in the theaters. If Mustard had to guess, Gru or the Minions were successful at doing something evil and is celebrating.
Vibes change with “Desanfinado” by Kali Uchis. Desanfindo provides a disco buffer with a jazzy and tropical romantic song that pairs well with finding your soulmate. The love, lust, and potential heartbreak continues with Caroline Polacheck’s “Bang Bang.” Thundercat’s “Fly Like An Eagle” provides a psychedelic break from the arm-raising disco. In a massive vibe shift is “Goodbye to Love” from Phoebe Bridges. Mustard has motion sickness thinking about how many times they have cried to Bridges discography. This mood change must signal a harrowing and emotional climax. After wiping away your tears comes Bleacher’s jazzy “Instant Karma!” which still feels like the audience is in the pivotal climax of the film.
The sadness does not wash away on track ten, “You’re No Good” by Weyes Blood that sounds like a HEART single. Mustard enjoys this similarity as it helps regain the momentum the soundtrack started off with it. That momentum does not falter with Gary Clark Jr’s “Vehicle” which motivates Mustard to attempt to obtain a drivers license as a condiment.
H.E.R.’s “Dance to the Music” brings back the disco influence that kicked off the album. Human children, as Mustard stated earlier, will be dancing around the theatre to this soundtrack. Popcorn and lukewarm hot dog (with mustard) be darned. The dancing stops momentarily as Tierra Whack’s “Black Magic Woman” will surely put everyone in the audience into a trance.
Keeping the audience in the trance is “Cool” by Verdine White who accompanied Brittany Howard on Shining Star earlier on the album. Whatever is happening in the film, Gru and the Minions are in some sort of trouble. Or they have defeated the antagonist. Mustard has not seen the film yet and is simply guessing. Actually, they definitely overcame whatever obstacle was put in front of them as Jackson Wang’s “Born To Be Alive” has second to last (or last) song in the film vibes. If this is not at the end of the film it is definitely in the credits.
Surprisingly, the Minions themselves have graced the soundtrack with their rendition of “Cecilia.” Mustard prefers the instrumentals to the Minions vocals. Following the Minions is G.E.M.’s version of “Bang Bang.” Both offerings on this soundtrack are a treat for human ears. Lastly, from the Wu-Tang Clan (which is for the human children) comes “Kung Fu Suite” by RZA. Mustard believes the ruckus is brought in a family-friendly way.
Overall, Mustard was surprised by this soundtrack. They had no expectations for it and did not dislike it. Mustard understands it is a soundtrack for a commercial film for a massive company that Mustard’s human intern used to work for.
Should you listen to it? Yes. Will you fall in love with this soundtrack? Potentially. Will Human children ask their parents to play the Minions? 100%.
Music Shelf With Mustard 