Three New Songs by The Decemberists Anchor Laika's Wildwood

Three new songs by the Portland band The Decemberists are part of Laika's animated film Wildwood, and one of them plays over the end credits, according to Deadline.

The film is adapted from the book of the same name by Colin Meloy, the band's frontman. Meloy also wrote songs that the voice cast performs at various points in the movie. Laika describes the film as a love letter to the studio's home just outside Portland, Oregon. Travis Knight is the studio's president and chief executive. Laika has received six Academy Award nominations and is a winner of an Academy Sci-Tech Award.

The Decemberists perform "Fits and Starts" and "The Better Part of Bravery," both written by Meloy. Amandla Stenberg sings "Bandit Kind," also written by Meloy. Portugal. The Man performs "You Can Count on Me," a song written by five songwriters, including Paul Williams.

The music is also finding its way onto record. A Wildwood-inspired album called Wildwood Sessions came out on 16 October. It was built from recording sessions with a group of recruited artists, and it includes "You Can Count On Me" by Portugal. The Man and "I Want To Be Lost" by The Decemberists, according to Deadline. Aminé also contributes original songs to the set, as Rolling Stone's Facebook video post noted. The songs were conceived as companion pieces to the film, Relix reported. Portugal. The Man released a new song and video inspired by the film in mid-October.

A separate release is on the calendar. Universal Music Canada announced the Wildwood Original Motion Picture Soundtrack and said it would be released on 23 October through Decca. The set includes "The Better Part of Bravery" by The Decemberists.

Fans who want to hear the songs in their original setting will need a cinema. Laika's website says Wildwood is now playing only in theatres.