In July 2016, the soundtrack was announced with three original songs written for the film: "Something Wild" by electronic violinist Lindsey Stirling featuring Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness, "The Dragon Song" performed by Bonnie "Prince" Billy and written by Lowery and screenwriter Toby Halbrooks, "Nobody Knows" performed by The Lumineers and co-written by Halbrooks with Andrew Tinker.[3] The album does not feature any of the songs from the original film, except a newly recorded version of "Candle on the Water" which was sung by the band Okkervil River. Some of the other songs' include: a cover of Karen Dalton's "Something on Your Mind" by St. Vincent, Leonard Cohen's "So Long, Marianne", Bosque Brown's "Gina Anne".[3] Hart's score accompanied the remainder of the album, which was released on August 12, 2016.[3]
Bustle writer Johny Brayson said "the new Pete's Dragon isn't a musical like the original, it still sounds like music will be a big part of what makes the film special".[4] Alex Reif of Laughing Place wrote "Like the film, it’s substantially different from the original, but offers some great folk songs and a beautiful score. But the true star of the album is Lindsey Stirling and her memorable song “Something Wild.”"[5]
Jonathan Broxton wrote "Daniel Hart might be a relatively new name in film scoring circles, but the thematic boldness, the orchestral confidence, and the emotion and heart in this score will surely ensure that he doesn’t remain anonymous for long."[6]Mfiles wrote "When it comes to a film composer catching their big break and seizing the opportunity with both hands, such instances rarely get more successful than Daniel Hart's work on Pete's Dragon. Although a noted musician in his own right there were question marks as to how effectively he would adapt to the needs of a sweetly sentimental Disney movie; the answer, as it turns out, is magnificently. Not only has he been able to retain his own distinctive air of bluegrass and folk in the form of the various instrumental solos; he's also demonstrated a stunning ability to let rip with an orchestra in a manner that is viscerally powerful yet utterly sincere without a hint of mawkishness. Pete's Dragon is almost certainly one of the best scores of 2016 and if there was any indication that Hart's profoundly melodic voice deserves yet more blockbuster showcases in future, this it."[7]
Filmtracks.com wrote "Pete's Dragon is a really admirable burst into the mainstream for Hart, and specific moments in the work, led by the outstanding blend of tones in "Reverie," merit the highest praise."[8] Pete Simons of Synchrotones wrote "Daniel Hart’s Pete’s Dragon is absolutely, ridiculously delightful. One of this year’s most pleasant surprises and one of the year’s greatest highlights – if not the. It’s pretty, it’s fun, it’s exciting, it’s epic… and all this without a hint of sarcasm, and without being overly bombastic. It’s an unadulterated pleasure from start to finish."[9] Matt Zoller Seitz of RogerEbert.com claimed that Hart's score channelises that of John Williams.[10] Germain Lussier of Gizmodo called the score as "soothing",[11] whereas Michael Rechtshaffen of The Hollywood Reporter wrote "When you factor in the overheated Daniel Hart score that swoops and soars at the slightest provocation, you just might find yourself pining for the simpler, comparatively more melodic charms of Helen Reddy crooning 'Candle on the Water.'"[12]
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