The power of music in film is undeniable, capable of amplifying emotions and deepening our connection with characters. When the right song is placed in the perfect scene, it transcends mere background noise and becomes an integral part of the narrative. Few films demonstrate this synergy as powerfully as Waves, a 2019 drama directed by Trey Edward Shults. What makes Waves particularly noteworthy for music lovers is its inspired use of Animal Collective, an indie band known for their uniquely evocative soundscapes. For longtime listeners and newcomers alike, Waves showcases how seamlessly “Animal Movie Songs,” specifically those of Animal Collective, can intertwine with cinematic storytelling to create an unforgettable emotional experience.
Shults’s Waves isn’t just a movie; it’s a sensory journey. From the very first scene, music is not just present, it’s a driving force. While some might initially perceive the film’s heavy reliance on music as excessive, a closer look reveals Shults’s masterful hand in using each track to illuminate the inner lives of his characters. The Waves soundtrack is a diverse tapestry, but the strategic inclusion of Animal Collective’s songs is particularly impactful. Out of the thirty-nine songs featured in the film, three belong to Animal Collective, and two of these songs play a pivotal role in connecting the emotional arcs of the film’s two central figures.
Animal Collective, while categorized as an indie band formed in 2003, defies simple genre labels. Their music is a genre unto itself – an exploration of sonic eccentricity. Characterized by synthesized sounds, layered textures, and crescendos of tone, their music evokes feelings with a specificity that is distinctly Animal Collective. Their lyrics, often simple on the surface, gain profound depth when combined with their complex sound arrangements, transforming into layered expressions of raw human emotion. This unique sonic identity makes their inclusion in Waves not just a soundtrack choice, but a deliberate artistic statement.
One might question if personal nostalgia for Animal Collective could create a biased appreciation for their use in Waves. However, revisiting the scenes reveals an undeniable truth: the marriage of Animal Collective’s music with the film’s visuals and narrative is genuinely awe-inspiring. The music doesn’t just accompany the scenes; it elevates them, painting the screen with feeling and drawing the viewer deeper into the emotional core of the story.
Waves unfolds through two distinct perspectives. The first act centers on Tyler, portrayed with raw intensity by Kelvin Harrison Jr. Tyler embodies a young man on the cusp of adulthood, navigating the pressures of senior year in high school. He lives within a seemingly typical middle-class family, yet beneath the surface lies immense pressure from his father. Perfection is the relentless expectation, both in athletics and academics, creating a suffocating weight on Tyler’s shoulders.
The film then transitions to the perspective of Emily, Tyler’s younger sister, played with quiet strength by Taylor Russel. Emily exists in a different emotional space within the family. While not overshadowed, she is certainly outshined by the intense focus directed at Tyler. The camera’s gaze on Emily feels deliberate and unhurried, revealing a reserved demeanor and a reflective inner world. She is observant, processing the dynamics around her with a quiet intensity.
The very first song to grace the Waves soundtrack is Animal Collective’s “FloriDada“. This opening choice is immediately striking. “FloriDada” is characterized by a consistent, driving beat, punctuated by rapid bursts of synthesized instrumentals and a catchy, repetitive chorus. It evokes sensory impressions of warmth – the feeling of sun-drenched sand, gentle breezes, and the refreshing coolness of saltwater. It’s an auditory embodiment of youthful exuberance and carefree summer days.
Shults strategically uses the song’s bridge as the camera circles Tyler and his girlfriend, Alexis (Alexa Demie), as they cruise down a Florida highway. The scene is bathed in vibrant colors – the azure sky, the sparkling ocean – as Tyler and Alexis sing along, lost in their own world. Tyler drives recklessly, hands off the wheel, foot out the window, while Alexis leans out the passenger side, letting the wind whip through her hair. This recklessness is infused with a palpable warmth, capturing the intoxicating feeling of youthful infatuation and the exhilarating freedom of being young and in love.
A subtle undercurrent of nervousness flickers in Alexis’s voice when Tyler, in a moment of teenage bravado, asks if she trusts him before taking his hands off the wheel. This fleeting moment, though quickly dismissed as Tyler reassuringly pulls her close, foreshadows the darker turns their relationship will take. It’s a glimpse of impulsivity and a hint of the chaos that lies beneath the surface of their seemingly idyllic romance.
Throughout Tyler’s perspective, the camera work mirrors his internal state – sometimes swift and excited, other times bordering on manic. We witness Tyler’s internal struggle, his initial teenage anxieties and social pressures gradually giving way to turbulent rage and intense emotions. The weight of expectations, both external and internal, is palpable. The camera stays close, allowing the viewer to feel the immense pressure Tyler carries as he navigates his romantic and social life while grappling with his father’s relentless demands. A devastating sports injury becomes a catalyst, triggering a downward spiral that culminates in a tragic act of violence, marking the end of the film’s first act.
Without delving into graphic detail, the pivotal scene involves Tyler acting out in a surge of violence that had been simmering beneath the surface. He inflicts harm on Alexis, revealing a disturbing capacity for aggression. The emotional impact of this scene is amplified by the intimacy the film has built between Tyler and the audience. We have witnessed his tenderness, his vulnerability, and the pressures he faces. This understanding of his humanity makes the violence all the more jarring and heartbreaking. This is precisely why “FloriDada” is such a potent choice for Tyler’s introduction.
The bridge of “FloriDada,” used during Tyler’s initial scene, presents an upbeat and seemingly carefree melody. Yet, beneath the catchy rhythm and bright instrumentation, the lyrics tell a different story: “Where’s the bridge that’s gonna take me home?/The bridge that someone’s fighting over/A bridge that someone’s paying for/A bridge so old so let it go.” These lyrics, repeated against the backdrop of energetic music, take on a profound significance when applied to Tyler’s character.
The line, “Where’s the bridge that’s gonna take me home?” resonates deeply with Tyler’s arc. His breaking point occurs within the confines of his home, where deep-seated issues finally erupt. His perspective shifts, allowing the viewer to see his parents and family dynamics in a more nuanced light, humanizing each character beyond Tyler’s limited viewpoint. Shults’s intentional use of this song, particularly this lyrical section, subtly guides the audience to empathize with Tyler, even before fully understanding the complexities of his character and his capacity for both tenderness and violence. Through “FloriDada,” Animal Collective foreshadows Tyler’s duality, his ability to embody both lightheartedness and hidden darkness.
The film’s atmosphere undergoes a significant transformation in the second act, shifting focus to Emily. The camera movements become more patient, mirroring Emily’s introspective nature. She carries the weight of her brother’s actions, grappling with a sense of responsibility while simultaneously navigating her own journey of self-discovery and budding romance.
Emily’s experience with young love is markedly different from Tyler’s. Her relationship with Luke (Lucas Hedges) unfolds with a gentler, more awkward, and ultimately more endearing quality. She connects with Luke through empathy and shared vulnerability, finding solace in his presence as she processes her own internal turmoil. As their connection deepens, the live version of Animal Collective’s “Loch Raven” emerges on the soundtrack, perfectly capturing the delicate and tentative nature of their burgeoning relationship.
“Loch Raven” exudes a sense of comfort and mellow tranquility. Its calming, persistent sound allows the viewer to align with Emily’s emotional state as she finds refuge and understanding with Luke. He becomes a source of support outside the turbulent dynamics of her family life, offering a reciprocal sense of reliance. The song’s tonal quality perfectly complements the scene, establishing Emily’s harmonious nature and her capacity to navigate the complexities of relationships with grace and emotional intelligence.
In a mirrored scene reminiscent of Tyler’s carefree drive with Alexis, Emily and Luke are shown driving through sun-drenched Florida streets. However, the atmosphere is markedly different – serene and grounded. Luke drives with both hands on the wheel, attentively listening as Emily acknowledges the Animal Collective song playing, “Bluish“. She opens the window, letting the wind wash over her face, softly singing along. The opening lyrics, “I’m getting lost in your curls/I’m drawing pictures on your skin/So soft it twirls,” perfectly encapsulate the tender intimacy and fresh excitement of new love.
The use of another Animal Collective song in this mirrored scene creates a direct link to Emily’s memories of Tyler. It subtly suggests a shared musical landscape between siblings, implying that even in Tyler’s absence and transformation, their connection persists through music. Animal Collective becomes a sonic bridge, linking their emotional journeys both within the narrative and for the audience.
The song continues as Emily and Luke arrive at a small gathering and dance playfully through sprinklers, creating shimmering rainbows of water droplets that dance across the camera lens. The energy has shifted dramatically from the first act – it is gentle, innocent, and restorative. While it retains the youthful exuberance of Tyler’s earlier scenes, it is devoid of the underlying toxicity. Emily and Luke’s connection is characterized by mutual awareness, tenderness, and a refreshing lack of hidden darkness. Their relationship stands out as one of the most genuinely heartwarming and realistically portrayed young romances in recent cinema, and Animal Collective’s “Bluish” perfectly encapsulates these nuanced emotions.
“Bluish” itself is an entrancing track, with idyllic and purely romantic lyrics, free from the veiled undertones of hurt present in “FloriDada.” It evokes the very sensations depicted on screen – the coolness of a breeze on a warm day, the prismatic colors of light refracted through water. It’s a warmth that isn’t fiery or overwhelming, but rather the comforting and mesmerizing closeness of genuine affection.
The strategic use of Animal Collective in these mirrored scenes, coupled with Emily’s conscious recognition of the band, serves to underscore the director’s intention to connect Tyler and Emily’s emotional journeys, not merely as siblings, but as individuals navigating complex human emotions in vastly different ways. While Emily also experiences profound inner turmoil, her expression of it is markedly different from Tyler’s. Her emotional breaking point arrives during a conversation with her father, where she finally confronts her guilt surrounding Tyler’s violent actions. This act of vulnerability ultimately strengthens her bond with her father, contrasting sharply with Tyler’s emotional outbursts, which served to create further division.
By employing Animal Collective in these parallel scenes, Waves provides a powerful connection between Tyler and Emily, highlighting their shared humanity and their divergent approaches to processing profound emotions. Animal Collective’s music, with its intensely visceral and evocative qualities, makes the film’s emotional landscape palpable, resonating deeply within the viewer.
Ultimately, Waves is a testament to the masterful integration of “animal movie songs” – specifically, the unique sound of Animal Collective – into cinematic storytelling. The film’s luminous emotional depth is undeniably captivating, leaving a lasting impression that will likely have you humming Animal Collective’s tunes long after the credits roll, solidifying their place in memorable movie soundtracks.
