Summary
WondLais a new animated adventure series coming to Apple TV+. Adapted from the hitWondLabook trilogy by author Tony DiTerlizzi, the series tells the story of Eva, a teenager who leaves the underground bunker she grew up in to discover that the surface world is not at all what she expected it to be. The adaptation stars Jeanine Mason as Ava and has a cast that boasts talent including Alan Tudyk (Rogue One: A Star Wars Story), D.C. Douglas (Ultraman, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor), and Sarah Hollis (My Divorce Party).
Screen Rantis excited to debut two pieces of music from the official soundtrack toWondLa. The score for the new series was composed by Joy Ngiaw, who previouslyscored Netflix’sGlamorousand Skydance Animation’sBlush. Take a listen to the tracks, “Eva (End Credits)” and “Solas”, below, and get ready to watchWondLawhen it premieres June 28 on AppleTV+. The soundtrack of Ngiaw’s music will be released the same day by Milan Records.
And take a listen to “Solas”:
How Music Will Bring The Story Of WondLa To Life
The bestanimated TV shows and filmsoften boast lots of music, and with 23 pieces arriving its soundtrack,WondLais no exception. Animation is especially suited for telling stories of a scale impossible to capture with cameras, and as such tends to benefit from sweeping music that helps clue audiences in on the scope of the journey at hand. Composer Joy Ngiaw said the following about welcoming viewers toWondLain the series and via the soundtrack:
Joy Ngiaw: My scoring approach forWondLawas driven by its rich, epic world and dynamic characters. I aimed to create a diverse sonic landscape blending orchestral elements, world music, and synths. This approach allowed me to reflect the unique qualities of each location and alien tribe in WondLa, establishing a distinct sonic identity and enhancing the audience’s immersion.
My hope is that fans and listeners ofWondLanot only immerse themselves in the captivating world and narrative but also experience a profound emotional connection through the music. As they listen to the soundtrack, I aim for the music to transport them on Eva’s journey — whether it’s experiencing the grandeur of exploring new worlds or delving into the introspection of our characters' personal journeys. I hope the score resonates deeply, leaving viewers inspired, moved, and eager to revisit the magical universe ofWondLa.
For a story as big asWondLa’s, different musical techniques can subtly help audiences navigate the new world they’re experiencing it for the first time. Even while music keeps viewers in step with the highs and lows of Eva’s journey, it also helps orient them in the “new” world of Orbona. Through instrumental choices and sonic differences, Ngiaw aimed to make a score as emotionally effective as possible (for more emotional effective scores, check out this list ofanime movie soundtracks that may make you cry). Here’s what she said on the subject, specifically about the two tracks above:
Joy Ngiaw: The first track, titled ‘Eva (End Credits)’, serves as the show’s main theme, embodying our protagonist Eva Nine’s journey to find her family. I aimed to create a theme that could evoke both a grand, expansive soundscape and intimate emotions.
The second track, ‘Solas’, is a location theme representing the advanced capital city of Orbona. To capture Solas’s sophistication, I featured plucky instruments like the Korean Gayageum, Sanjo, and Chinese Liuqin and Dan Nhi, complemented by the grandeur of the Mongolian Choir. The unexpected 5/4 meter adds a distinctly otherworldly feel to the composition.
Ngiaw also said the following about bringing a human touch to a story in which humans are largely extinct:
Joy Ngiaw: I also integrated my voice into the score to add unique textures and sound effects, bringing a human element to the music. Experimenting with vocal layers—like breaths, ‘shaaaa’s, hums, and chants—infused the music with a playful and unconventional touch. Drawing inspiration from everyday sounds, I transformed ordinary objects into unexpected percussive or melodic instruments through software processing, contributing to the overall uniqueness of theWondLasoundtrack.
Ngiaw wasn’t the only person on theWondLateam who deeply understood the benefit music could bring to its story. Anoriginal songcalled “Meego and Friends” was written for the show by its filmmakers, and can be heard as the last piece of music on the official series soundtrack. To hear everything in its original context, be sure to check outWondLa’s first episode, debuting June 28.
WondLapremieres June 28 on Apple TV+. Joy Ngiaw’s soundtrack for the film will be available the same day courtesy of Milan Records.
WondLa
Cast
WondLa follows Eva, who is forced to leave her underground sanctuary for Earth’s surface. As she navigates through unfamiliar landscapes and civilizations, Eva seeks to uncover whether she is the last remaining human. The series explores themes of survival, discovery, and the search for humanity’s legacy.
