For many enthusiasts of “The Hunger Games” — both the novel series and film franchises — next Friday marks the long-awaited release of “The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping,” based on Suzanne Collin’s second prequel novel to the original trilogy. Set in Panem 24 years prior to the events of “The Hunger Games,” the dystopian film follows a young Haymitch Abernathy during the Second Quarter Quell.
The film, following the release of the novel, is said to follow Haymitch Abernathy, who previously played a role as Katniss Everdeen’s mentor in the original trilogy. Abernathy is reaped for the 25th Hunger Games, which features twice as many tributes as normal. The book follows his journey in the games and the loss he experiences in the aftermath of the Games as a victor. His journey ultimately connects to the Hunger Games novels everyone has grown up reading
From the buzz that the novel created, and the somewhat legendary original trilogy, this film is sure to be one of the most exciting releases this year. And, alongside the highly anticipated film comes its companion album, “The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping (The Album),” a 29-song soundtrack released today through MCA Records. In addition to the four songs already released — Noah Kahan’s “Draw You Out,” The Smashing Pumpkins’ “Black Stars,” Gigi Perez’s “Favor,” and most recently, Lizzy McAlpine’s “The Wheel” — the album features artists spanning from folk and country stars to alternative rock legends. Notable contributors include The Cure, Stevie Nicks, Kacey Musgraves and franchise star Jennifer Lawrence — Katniss Everdeen herself — who returns with her rendition of “Deep in the Meadow.”
For longtime fans and viewers, the accompanying soundtrack has always been more than just music; it offers an immersive experience through a carefully curated collection of songs. Throughout the franchise’s history, its soundtracks have become nearly as iconic as the films themselves, featuring original songs from some of the industry’s biggest names. Pop fans and ‘Swifties’ alike will remember Taylor Swift’s “Safe and Sound” and “Eyes Open.” Olivia Rodrigo’s “Can’t Catch Me Now,” though played during the credits of “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,” also became one of the franchise’s defining songs.
Produced by Dave Cobb, the soundtrack of “Sunrise on the Reaping” appears poised to continue the tradition with its impressive lineup.
“Draw You Out,” by Noah Kahan, who was recently announced as one of the most-streamed folk artists ever, serves as the album’s lead single. After teasing snippets of the song on social media, Kahan released the song to eager fans on Oct. 2. Known for his deeply introspective songwriting, Kahan centers the track on grief, memory and the challenge of carrying on when someone you love is no longer physically present. He explores the struggle to keep that person “alive” through a promise. When Kahan sings, “It feels good to say your name,” he essentially says that speaking the lost person’s name and sharing their memory can “draw them out” into the world when physical reunion is impossible. True to his signature style, “Draw You Out” pairs upbeat folk instrumentals with gut-wrenching lyrics about pain and perseverance.
Released on Oct. 16, “Black Stars” by The Smashing Pumpkins is a dramatic departure from Kahan’s folk style. Written by the band’s frontman Billy Corgan, the dark, haunting track draws thematic inspiration from District 12 — fans of the franchise recognize the name as the impoverished home of original characters Peeta Mellark and Katniss Everdeen. The title captures the games’ essence: tributes from each district must confront survival and death, becoming stars in their hometowns even as doom looms. Even if they survive, the scars never fade; the darkness stays — a prominent image in Haymitch’s story. The opening lyrics, “Where nobody young is staying so foolish,” reflect a theme dramatized in each film: youth and innocence diminish the moment the reaping begins.
On Oct. 29, Gigi Perez’s “Favor” became the album’s third single. As the opening act for Kahan’s North American leg of The Great Divide Tour, Perez feels like a natural fit for the film’s folk-driven sound. Much like its predecessors, the mournful ballad evokes feelings of grief and loss. Opening with an acoustic guitar, the enchanting vocals of the singer-songwriter behind “The Sailor Song” tell of the lasting connection between two lovers who are now apart. Perez captures the anguish and pain of separation, along with the lingering questions, memories and the hope of reunion — feelings many avid Perez fans and listeners can relate to.
Following “Draw You Out,” “Black Stars,” and “Favor,” Lizzy McAlpine’s “The Wheel” arrived on Nov. 6 as the soundtrack’s latest single. McAlpine sets the wheel in motion with raw lyricism and storytelling. In the chorus, she sings, “Somebody has to bend to break the wheel,” evoking an image of a wheel that keeps turning, crushing whatever lies beneath it, that can only be broken when something bends. It parallels the never-ending cycle, or “wheel” of the Hunger Games, since their inception. However, McAlpine ends “The Wheel” with the same lyrics that open it, seemingly allowing the cycle to repeat.
With 25 songs still to be released, these early releases already suggest that the soundtrack will continue the franchise’s tradition of pairing emotionally resonant music with powerful storytelling. Whether listeners are eager for new music from favorite artists or preparing for another return to Panem, “The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping (The Album)” is shaping up to be as compelling as the story it accompanies.