The soundtrack for the sequel to Universal's hit 2010 animated comedy Despicable Me follows a familiar script, once again utilizing the talents of multi-faceted pop handyman Pharrell Williams and composer Heitor Pereira (Spy Kids, Curious George, The Smurfs). More heavily weighted toward Pereira's appropriately mischievous score than the last time around, it's Williams' contributions that pack the most punch. The obvious single is the leadoff cut "Scream," which pits the inimitable CeeLo Green against an infectious, Motown-inspired shimmy that doesn't waste a single beat, but sunny, buoyant soul-pop confections like "Just a Cloud Away" and "Happy" hold their own as well, and serve as necessary buffers for novelty pieces like "Another Irish Drinking Song" and covers of "I Swear" and "Y.M.C.A," all three of which are delivered via the Chipmunks-rendered voices of the Minions, the wee, yellow, potato-shaped creatures that accompany Gru, the film's Steve Carell-voiced protagonist, as he does despicable things. ~ James Christopher Monger, Rovi
