Joyful Girl

Ani DiFranco

The song plays as the mother navigates early motherhood—playing with her child, reflecting on her frustrations and lost sense of self, and performing daily routines. The lyrics echo her desire to find joy in her new role, even as she struggles with identity and societal expectations. The song’s hopeful tone contrasts her internal turmoil, highlighting the tension between outward appearances and inner reality.

Wolf in the Breast

Cocteau Twins

This brief, ethereal track underscores a moment of chaos during a messy, unstructured art day with her son. Paint is everywhere, boundaries are blurred, and the mother lets go of rules. The dreamy, otherworldly music mirrors her slipping grip on conventional motherhood and hints at her transformation, both literal and emotional.

Dare to Be Stupid

"Weird Al" Yankovic

The song kicks in as the mother and son fully embrace their animal sides, playing dog together, crawling, barking, and growling. The absurd, playful lyrics match the scene’s wild energy and the mother’s rebellion against parental norms. It’s a cathartic, comedic release—she’s daring to be weird, letting go of judgment and embracing her instincts, with the song serving as a personal anthem for her newfound freedom.

My Ways

Sycco

During a dinner with old art friends, the mother feels alienated and out of place. The song’s modern, introspective vibe underscores her discomfort as she struggles to relate, feeling invisible and disconnected from her former creative life. The lyrics and mood reflect her longing for autonomy and self-expression, amplifying her sense of being lost between worlds.

Blood In The Wine

AURORA

After a humiliating dinner, the mother’s internal monologue crescendos: she fantasizes about running away, being wild, and embracing her monstrous side. The song’s primal, haunting energy matches her desire to break free from expectations and reclaim her power, underscoring a moment of self-realization and transformation.

Summer Blue

Nate Heller

As the parents separate and the father takes over, the song plays over scenes of him caring for their son. The gentle, bittersweet melody captures the tentative hope and sadness of this new arrangement, highlighting the shifting family dynamic and the possibility of healing and growth.

Anything

Sharon Van Etten

This short cue plays as the mother prepares for her art show, marking a turning point where she reclaims her creative identity. The song’s plaintive tone reflects her vulnerability and hope as she steps back into the world as an artist.

Fleez

Yeah Yeah Yeahs

The song scores the family’s playful, animalistic bedtime routine—a wild, cathartic sequence where they snuggle, growl, and pretend to hibernate together. The energetic, punky music amplifies the sense of liberation and togetherness, celebrating their acceptance of both their human and beastly sides.

Summer Blue (End Credits)

Nate Heller

The end credits roll over this reprise, closing the film on a note of gentle optimism and resilience. The song’s dreamy, uplifting sound leaves the audience with a sense of hope, transformation, and the ongoing journey of motherhood.