JT is happy singing & dancing troll

Justin Timberlake (JT) is at the driver’s seat so there is no way that the animated feature Trolls, will have a bad soundtrack. And it can now be said that JT as executive music producer of the tuneful comedy has exceeded all expectations. With the use of pop hits that he knows so well, he has come up with a happy, engaging, totally entertaining collection of songs that everybody will love listening to even long after they have watched the picture.

JT actually did double duty in Trolls, his very first animated flick ever. Aside from doing the music, he also gave voice to the lead character of the story, the troll named Branch, a drab colored, fearful, overly careful boy who never smiled. Because all of the other trolls are not only bright-colored but are also always happy and constantly hugging, singing and dancing, Branch has become a misfit. Of course, the few troll friends he has are not going to let him remain that way forever. So they all do something to help make Branch into a happy, dancing troll.

Already acknowledged as a fine, sensitive actor, JT does a great job as Branch but it is as head music producer that he pulls a lot of surprises. Of course, he sings in the soundtrack and has written some of the songs, most notably that infectious Can’t Stop The Feeling. But it is his choices for the other tune requirements that are eye openers. JT has mixed Ariana Grande, Bonnie Tyler and Lionel Richie and even Earth Wind & Fire plus a lot of other sounds into a singable and also often danceable confection. And I must say the results are very happy indeed.

Included in the Trolls soundtrack and performed by a star-studded line-up are Hair Up co-written by Justin and performed by JT with Gwen Stefani and Ron Funches; Can’t Stop The Feeling by JT; Move Your Feet/ D.A.N.C.E./ It’s A Sunshine Day by the Snack Pack made up of Anna Kendrick, Stefani, James Corden, Funches, Walt Dohm; Caroline Hjelt, Aino Jawo, Kunai Nayyar; Get Back Up Again and The Sound Of Silence by Kendrick; Hello by Zooey Deschanel; I’m Coming Out/ Mo’ Money Mo’ Problems by Deshanel with the Snack Pack; They Don’t Know by Grande; True Colors by JT and Kendrick; Can’t Stop The Feeling by JT with the Snack Pack; September by JT and Kendrick with the Earth Wind & Fire; What U Workin’ With? by Stefani and JT; and a reprise of True Colors.

Too bad the album misses out on Celebration, Total Eclipse Of The Heart, I Feel Love and Kendrick’s rendition of Dream A Little Dream Of Me. No matter, just watch the movie, which opens today and I am sure you will be just as happy as these trolls.

Meanwhile, here are the Top 20 singles as per Billboard’s Hot 100 chart in the US. Closer by the Chainsmokers feat. Halsey; Starboy by The Weeknd feat. Daft Punk; Heathens by twenty one pilots; Let Me Love You by DJ Snake feat. Justin Bieber; Broccoli by D.R.A.M. feat. Lil Yachty; 24K Magic by Bruno Mars; Cold Water by Major Lazer feat. Justin Bieber & MO; Side To Side by Ariana Grande feat. Nicki Minaj; Treat You Better by Shawn Mendes.

I Hate You I Love You by Gnash feat. Olivia O’Brien; Cheap Thrills by Sia feat. Sean Paul; Juju On That Beat (TZ Anthem) by Zay Hilfigerr & Zayion McCall; Gold by Kiiara; Don’t Let Me Down by The Chainsmokers feat. Daya; Ride by twenty one pilots; This Is What You Came For by Calvin Harris feat. Rihanna; Starving by Hailee Steinfeld & Guy feat. Zedd; Can’t Stop The Feeling by JT; Luv by Tory Lanez.

The Top 20 albums are: Walls by the Kings Of Leon; Views by Drake; Suicide Squad: The Album, the motion picture soundtrack; 1992 by The Game; Blurryface by twenty one pilots; Mad Love by Jojo; Hamilton: An American Musical by the original Broadway cast; Dangerous Woman by Ariana Grande; Birds In The Trap Sing McKnight by Travis Scott; Revolution Radio by Green Day.

Day Breaks by Norah Jones; Like An Arrow by Blackberry Smoke; ANTI by Rihanna; Let There Be Light by Hillsong; A Seat At The Table by Solange Knowles; Illuminate by Shawn Mendes; Dig Your Roots by the Florida Georgia Line; This Is Acting by Sia; Traveler by Chris Stapleton; and 25 by Adele.