Joe Hisaishi writing at his most disarmingly simple, and it hits harder for it. "The Village in May" builds this warm, swelling string arrangement that sounds like sunlight filling a room. "Moonlight Flight" is pure childhood wonder condensed into three minutes, the melody lifting and dipping like you're actually riding on Totoro's belly through the sky.
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Even the smaller cues like "Mei and the Dust Bunnies" have this playful, tip-toeing quality that's immediately recognizable. "Cat Bus" brings manic energy, all rushing strings and breathless tempo. The whole collection feels like nostalgia you didn't know you had.
If you've seen the film even once, these tracks will take you right back to that forest.