The Decemberists Release 'The Better Part of Bravery' for Wildwood Film
The Decemberists have shared 'The Better Part of Bravery,' their first new track since 2024's As It Ever Was, So It Will Be Again. The song is featured during the closing credits of Wildwood, the stop-motion adaptation of Colin Meloy's 2011 novel. The film, directed by Travis Knight, opens in several countries on October 23 after premiering at the BFI London Film Festival.
The Decemberists have issued “The Better Part of Bravery,” marking their first fresh material since the 2024 full-length As It Ever Was, So It Will Be Again. The track appears over Wildwood’s closing credits. That stop-motion feature adapts Colin Meloy’s 2011 debut novel; Meloy is the band’s frontman.
Meloy described the song as another way into Wildwood’s world. He noted the value of music accompanying viewers as they exit the forest and the narrative concludes. Travis Knight directs a cast including Peyton Elizabeth Lee, Jacob Tremblay, Carey Mulligan, Mahershala Ali, and Angela Bassett. After its BFI London Film Festival premiere on October 11, the film reaches US, Canadian, UK, and Irish theaters on October 23.
The release may draw Decemberists listeners toward Wildwood and give the film a recognizable music association. Families and animation fans could encounter Meloy’s story through the film, while existing fans may revisit his novel. A new song tied to a major adaptation could extend the band’s reach beyond its usual audience and strengthen cross-promotion between music and film, though actual impact will depend on the movie’s reception.