Surely no one was expecting one of the most talked about album releases of the summer to be an animated kids film soundtrack, but Illumination’s Minions: The Rise of Gru is rocking both the charts and the box office.

Bleachers’ frontman and producer extraordinaire, Jack Antonoff, is responsible for the eclectic soundtrack, featuring contemporary artists putting their own spin on classic ‘70s tunes.

The soundtrack includes tracks by Phoebe Bridgers, St. Vincent, BROCKHAMPTON, Caroline Polachek and more. One original is included, 'Turn Up The Sunshine' performed by Diana Ross and Tame Impala, which has reached No.21 on Billboard's Adults Contemporary chart (July 2nd).

 

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It’s been five years since the last Despicable Me franchise film came out, leaving many of its fans outside of the age range that would typically go to see G-rated films. However Minions: The Rise of Gru is an exception.

The soundtrack alone created an enormous buzz, as many of the songs are going viral on TikTok. Funnily enough, many from Gen-Z don’t know that the songs are ‘70s covers. One user wrote “No one in this cafe knows that Phoebe Bridgers wrote a song for the minions movie and I have listened to it every waking moment since I found out,” about Bridgers’ cover of 'Goodbye to Love' by The Carpenters. After the comments flooded in, the user replied “Ok I now realise she didn't write it… off to listen to the original now.”

@wowitsolivia What could possibly be in the minions film that needs this type of music??? #minions #minionsriseofgru #PrimarkSummerUp #pheobebridgers #emotionalmotionsickness #minionssquad💫 #fypuk ♬ Goodbye To Love - From 'Minions: The Rise of Gru' Soundtrack - Phoebe Bridgers

The fun soundtrack is effectively introducing younger generations to classic ‘70s hits by using familiar artists of today. It's drawing Gen-Z to the cinema in huge numbers, with a record $125.1 million debut. Minions have turned into a meme, where TikTokers are dressing up in yellow and overalls to the theatres, as well as suits and ties. This has happened so much that one theatre in Cornwall banned teens wearing suits from entering, due to their rowdiness and disruptive behaviour.

The soundtrack served as marketing genius to expand the audience of the film drastically. The ‘70s songs are a nod to the parents accompanying their children to the film, and the current pop covers are perfect for drawing in Gen-Z. Check out the new soundtrack to the summer below.