| Rug Island | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Soundtrack album by Joff Bush | ||||
| Released | 25 October 2024 (2024-10-25)[1] | |||
| Recorded | 2023 | |||
| Genre | Soundtrack | |||
| Length | 40:51 | |||
| Label | Demon | |||
| Producer | Joff Bush | |||
| Joff Bush chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Rug Island | ||||
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Rug Island is the thirdsoundtrack album of the Australiananimated television seriesBluey. It was released on 25 October 2024 byDemon Records. Most of the soundtrack's music was composed and performed by Joff Bush, the composer for the television program, alongside a team of musicians.[1]
Much like the previous two albums, the soundtrack was released throughDemon Music Group, a subdivision ofBBC Studios, who hold global rights to release the show's music.[2] Leading up to the album's release, three singles were released; the first, "Octopus", was released on 2 August 2024,[1] the second, "Onesies", was released on 30 August 2024,[3] and the third, a vocal version of theBluey theme song, was released on 4 October 2024.[4]
Joff Bush serves as the primary composer ofBluey, writing half of the television show's score himself and leading a group of additional composers, including David Barber.[5][6] Bush graduated from theQueensland Conservatorium, where he met executive producerDaley Pearson, and beforeBluey, worked on series such asThe Family Law andAustralian Survivor.[5] Bush has stated that each episode has its own unique musical style, and he likes to become involved in the episodes as they are scripted;[5] he regularly has detailed discussions with series creatorJoe Brumm.[7] Live instruments are regularly played for the recordings.[5] Every episode ofBluey is individually scored, a decision made by Brumm, who was inspired by the original compositions forCharlie and Lola while working on the series in the United Kingdom.[8]
Bush recorded a soundtrack for the first series of the program, titledBluey: The Album, which was released on 22 January 2021.[9] The soundtrack debuted at number one on theARIA Albums Chart in February 2021.[10] It was recognised as the first children's album to reach the top of the charts in Australia.[7] It wonBest Children's Album at the2021 ARIA Music Awards,[11] and anAPRA Screen Music Award for Best Soundtrack Album in 2021.[12] The second album, titledDance Mode!, was released on 21 April 2023.[13]
Rug Island features songs from the second and third series ofBluey. The album is headlined by a three-part musical piece from "Rug Island", the namesake of the album; other notable pieces include a single titled "Octopus", featuring Australian rock bandKing Stingray, "Fairytale", an "'80's-inspired synth rock", "Explorers", described as a "traditional style sea shanty" modeled afterJack Russell's expedition in the titular episode, "Muffin Drive", described as a "driving rock song", and the "simple sweet" piece "Turtleboy".[1] "Explorers" and "Cricket" features contributions from Steven Peach and Pluto Jonze respectively. Production on the album began in 2023.[14]
The soundtrack, titledRug Island, was officially announced on 1 August 2024, with pre-orders opening the following day. The album was released on 25 October 2024 on CD, streaming services, and orangevinyl,[1] including a limited edition vinyl picture disc.
All songs written and produced by Joff Bush except where noted.
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Bluey Theme Tune" (vocal version) | 1:23 |
| 2. | "Rug Island, Pt. 1" | 1:29 |
| 3. | "Obstacle Course" | 3:09 |
| 4. | "Octopus" (featuringKing Stingray) | 2:41 |
| 5. | "Wild Girls" | 2:42 |
| 6. | "Escape" | 2:43 |
| 7. | "Onesies" | 3:24 |
| 8. | "Fairytale" | 2:57 |
| 9. | "Rug Island, Pt. 2" | 1:17 |
| 10. | "Explorers" (featuring Steven Peach) | 3:20 |
| 11. | "Muffin Drive" | 1:11 |
| 12. | "Turtleboy" | 2:48 |
| 13. | "Bin Night" | 3:14 |
| 14. | "Cricket" (featuring Pluto Jonze) | 3:37 |
| 15. | "Café" | 3:17 |
| 16. | "Rug Island, Pt. 3" | 1:39 |
| Total length: | 40:51 | |
| Chart (2024) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian Albums (ARIA)[15] | 82 |