On November 17, 2023, Republic Records released the 35-track soundtrack album for Nickelodeon’s Avatar: The Last Airbender Book 1: Water. They also released it both digitally and physically on vinyl.
Keep reading to learn more about the album and where you can get it.
Nickelodeon is Releasing the Entire Avatar: The Last Airbender Soundtrack
Some soundtracks define their generation. Such was the case with Avatar. And no, I’m not talking about James Cameron’s space Smurfs. I’m referring to the real Avatar, Avatar: The Last Airbender.
Avatar: The Last Airbender was special. The Nickelodeon animated series did more than just entertain. It defined how animation should be done, from its characters to its setting. It wasn’t afraid to show kids mature topics but still knew when it was time to get silly.
Part of that was the beautiful, iconic score composed by Emmy Award-winning Composer Jeremy Zuckerman. Zuckerman’s music fit every scene like a glove, proving that TV animation could be very cinematic if it wanted to. The music’s so good that you can envision the exact scenes as you hear it. And luckily, we get to have those experiences once again.
That’s because Nickelodeon has been releasing the Avatar: The Last Airbender soundtrack in parts since 2023 through Republic Records. With the Book 3 album set to drop later this month, I felt it was time to add the soundtrack to my little blog, starting with the first album. So, here we are.
The Book 1: Water Soundtrack Album
Republic Records released the Avatar: The Last Airbender Book 1: Water soundtrack on November 17, 2023, through their Kids & Family label. The 35-track album features the entire original score from the season, fully remastered and re-recorded by Zuckerman himself with a full orchestra. Moreover, Republic released the album digitally, on vinyl, and on CD. They also released the track “Aang Becomes Ocean” as a single to promote the album’s release.
A Review of the Avatar: The Last Airbender Book 1: Water Soundtrack Album
Either way, listening to the album still takes me back. I may not have grown up with it, but hearing the iconic sounds again made me nostalgic for the show. The music sounds as good now as it did 20 years ago. Even better if you consider the audio updates Zukerman made to it.
That said, I would have loved this release of the Avatar: The Last Airbender Book 1 soundtrack even if it were just the original recording. But you can definitely notice the remastering being done here. Everything is so crisp and well-orchestrated, making the release the perfect homage to Airbender’s legacy.
In other words, the album is perfect for any lover of animation or soundtrack music. You don’t even need to see Avatar to enjoy it either. It’s that good.
Collector’s Guide: Avatar: The Last Airbender Book 1: Water Soundtrack
Album Details
- Title: Avatar: The Last Airbender – Book 1: Water (Music From The Animated Series)
- Release Date: November 17, 2023
- Label: Republic Records: Kids & Family
- Composer: Jeremy Zuckerman
- Format: Format, CD, vinyl
- Track Count: 35
- Runtime: 1 hour, 22 minutes, 8 seconds
- Highlight: full original score from the first season
Track Listing
- Avatar: The Last Airbender (Premiere Main Title) (1:51)
- Yip Yip (1:14)
- A Way With Animals (1:41)
- Banished (2:12)
- Katara (1:48)
- Aang (The Avatar State) (2:27)
- Into a Nighttime Sky (2:06)
- Angi Kai (3:09)
- The Kyoshi Warriors (2:46)
- Just a Simple Monk (1:07)
- Superslide (1:59)
- Remember Your Courage (1:59)
- Into Fire Nation Territory (6:00)
- Roku Destroys the Temple (3:48)
- Jet (3:00)
- Previously On (1:30)
- Running Away (4:46)
- Zuko’s Scar (4:17)
- A Dream (1:15)
- Blue Spirit Rescue (3:23)
- The Blue Spirit (1:47)
- Iroh’s Tsungi Horn (1:34)
- Jun (Underbelly) (1:12)
- The Deserter (2:07)
- To the Air Temple (2:59)
- Descendents (3:30)
- The Northern Water Tribe (Yue and Sokka) (1:35)
- Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall (1:48)
- Commander Zhao (2:22)
- Koh the Face Stealer (3:41)
- The Spirit World (1:09)
- Yue Becomes the Moon Spirit (1:19)
- Aang Becomes Ocean (1:59)
- Aftermath (1:56)
- Avatar: The Last Airbender (End Credits) (0:52)
Where to Listen
Where to Buy
Final Thoughts
The iconic Avatar: The Last Airbender soundtrack was the perfect mix of harmonies and textures. So, I’m glad Nickelodeon decided to release it, letting us enjoy the music whenever and wherever we’re in the mood.
But that’s just my opinion. What’s yours?
Post your thoughts in the comments below, then read my Book 2 review here.
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