Most movie soundtracks are muddled messes, only tangentially related to the films they’re meant to represent. Typically, two or three bright spots keep the entire endeavor afloat.
“SCOOB! The Album” doesn’t break tradition. Half of the songs are absolute head-scratchers. I don’t understand why some of these songs were included on a soundtrack for a children’s movie.
The two most questionable inclusions are “Feel Alive” by R3HAB and A R I Z O N A and “Tick Tick Boom” by Sage the Gemini and BygTwo3.
“Feel Alive” is an electronic dance anthem. The song could exist at a club or some bombastic music festival, but it doesn’t make any sense soundtracking the escapades of Scooby-Doo and the gang.
Some of the only lyrics in the song are “Balconies in the summertime/Pack of cigarettes and a little red wine/Most of us are just dying to feel alive.”
What? This movie is for children. I highly doubt the children that “SCOOB!” is targeted at are experiencing existential dread. Children aren’t blasting cigs just to feel something. Kids want to see the funny dog say words. I didn’t feel dead inside until I was like twelve, they’ve got a few years.
Sage the Gemini, the man who gave us “Gas Pedal,” lobs an auditory grenade, destroying everything in its path. Bars include: “Chopper be singin’, should be on ‘The Voice,’” “Gang, gang, we don’t die out” and “Bang, bang, leave you sleep.”
Again, what? This song would work better if “SCOOB!” was a gritty reimagining of Scooby-Doo. But Shaggy doesn’t pack heat in this so I don’t really understand this song's inclusion.
Yes, I did pay $25 to watch the film. No, it is not great. There's no real central mystery and the story is bogged down by the inclusion of other Hanna-Barbera characters like Dick Dastardly, Captain Caveman and Muttley. Muttley spends a majority of the film trapped in hell. Yes, this film is for children.
A lot of these songs—like a cinematic Hanna-Barbera universe—don’t make sense to me. Rico Nasty’s “My Little Alien” is about being in love with an alien and people not understanding it. I guess it’s an allegory for Shaggy and Scooby, but I don’t know about all that.
Token’s “Homies” is a rapped ballad about becoming successful and losing a best friend in the process. This mirrors a conflict between Shaggy and Scooby in the film, but it still seems so off-putting to include a dispiriting track like “Homies” when the film never truly entertains the idea of Shaggy and Scooby breaking up.
Despite questionable content and poor craftsmanship there are a couple bright spots on the soundtrack.
Best Coast’s reimagining of the classic “Scooby-Doo” theme song is wonderful. It’s breezy and bright, bridging the generational gap. It’s lighthearted and fun, perfect for kids and adults alike.
The other banger on the soundtrack is country crossover “On Me” by Thomas Rhett and Kane Brown featuring Ava Max. It’s glossy and catchy, continuing the pop crossover tradition of songs like “Meant to Be” and “10,000 Hours.” It’s not really connected to the film, but it’s such a summery bop that I’m willing to ignore that. It stands on its own as a truly well-made song.
“SCOOB! The Album,” like the film, is a convoluted, goofy mess that fails to truly justify its own existence.
