The musical numbers were performed by the voice cast members, Auliʻi Cravalho, Dwayne Johnson, Rose Matafeo, David Fane, Rachel House, Awhimai Fraser, Hualālai Chung, along with New Zealand musicians Olivia Foa'i, Te Vaka, Sulata Foai-Amiatu, Matatia Foaʻi and Matthew Ineleo.

A deluxe edition of the album was released on November 25, featuring the original score composed by Mancina and Foaʻi and six instrumental versions of the songs.

"For two women to be part of that and trying to get to the heart of the story, which is a young woman finding her way, I couldn't think of a better duo than Barlow and Bear.

[3] Lin-Manuel Miranda said that he was not asked by Walt Disney Animation Studios to return for the sequel because of a timing issue.

[3] According to Miranda, by the time Disney decided in January 2024 to turn the series into a feature-length sequel, Barlow and Bear were "already cooking", so it made more sense to continue with the songs they had already written.

The two also met with members of the Oceania Cultural Trust, and real-life wayfinders, who inspired full songs with some of their ideas.

[9] Bear added that working with a large group helped them get in touch with "a big cultural anchor of the Pacific.

[10][14] A deluxe edition soundtrack featuring Mancina and Foaʻi's original score and instrumental versions of the songs, were released on November 25.

[16][17] Louis Peitzman of Vulture wrote that each song, without Miranda's involvement, "feels as flimsy and disposable as the last" and that added "the music of Moana 2 is the biggest mark against it with derivative melodies and clunky lyrics that screech the action to a halt.

When the songs occasionally interpolate a line or motif from the original Moana score, it has the water-drop-in-a-desert effect of reminding us how far we’ve fallen.

"[22] Ben Wasserman of Comic Book Resources, wrote the film falls short in its soundtrack, compared to the predecessor, and stated that despite the songs "Get Lost" and "Can I Get A Chee Hoo?"

"[23] A dissenting voice was Sarah El-Mahmoud of Cinema Blend, who felt that Barlow and Bear "delivered on a memorable new Disney soundtrack packed with emotional callbacks and new melodies.