News
10 October 2026 – The Decemberists Return With The Better Part Of Bravery for Colin Meloy's Wildwood Film
By Editorial Team - October 10, 2026
Summary
The Decemberists release The Better Part Of Bravery, their first new song in over two years, featured in the stop-motion film Wildwood.
Key Facts
- The Decemberists share The Better Part Of Bravery, their first new track in two years.
- Song appears in the animated stop-motion film adaptation of Colin Meloy's fantasy novel Wildwood.
- Soundtrack released via Decca, alongside companion album The Wildwood Sessions featuring Aminé and Portugal. The Man.
- Entities: The Decemberists, Colin Meloy, Wildwood, Carson Ellis, Dario Marianelli, Decca, Portland
- Tags: the-decemberists, colin-meloy, wildwood, folk-rock, indie-folk, decca, soundtrack
The Decemberists have released "The Better Part Of Bravery," their first new song in more than two years, as part of the soundtrack to the forthcoming animated film Wildwood. The project has an unusually personal connection to frontman Colin Meloy, who wrote the original Wildwood fantasy novels illustrated by his wife Carson Ellis. Set in a fantastical version of Portland, Oregon, the books have now inspired a stop-motion feature scheduled to reach American cinemas on October 23.
The new song combines the Decemberists' familiar folk-rock storytelling with harmonica, banjo and an arrangement that sounds perfectly suited to an adventure involving strange forests and considerable personal courage. The official soundtrack, which also features an original score by composer Dario Marianelli, is available now through Decca.
A separate collection titled The Wildwood Sessions arrives October 16 and features contributions from musicians including Aminé, Portugal. The Man, quickly, quickly, Saya Gray and Still Woozy. The Decemberists have always occupied an unusual position in contemporary indie music, drawing inspiration from literature, historical narratives and elaborate fictional worlds. Meloy's involvement in Wildwood consequently feels like a natural extension of the band's artistic interests.