June 5, 2026, the movie Power Ballad was released in theatres, starring Paul Rudd & Nick Jonas. The soundtrack is a blend of original tracks and covers of classic hits, such as Celebration and Message in a Bottle.
The music is impressive, with some tracks sounding like 80s Pop, even though many are original. Songwriter/producer Gary Clark and director John Carney wrote and composed many songs. They did an excellent job writing and composing very profound pieces.
Both Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas sing incredibly throughout the soundtrack. That includes an impressive duet with the track I Wish.
Paul Rudd has an incredible, husky voice. He sings with a bold vocal style. He poured his heart and soul into each song, especially the covers of 80s/90s songs.
Nick Jonas’ voice is phenomenal. His musical style on this soundtrack is amazing. He has evolved profoundly as a singer, and this soundtrack shows it beautifully.
Original Tracks
The soundtrack features many original songs, including three versions of “How to Write a Song Without You.”
How to Write a Song Without You is a heartfelt ballad about life after a breakup or a friendship that ended.
The Pop version (performed by Nick Jonas) has a cool boy band vibe. The guitar adds a dynamic touch.
The Nick Jonas version features an impressive Jazz-style sound combined with Rock, creating a major concert vibe. The music is intense but softens during the chorus and towards the end – the composition is incredible.
The Paul Rudd version has a slower tempo than the other versions, with a lovely piano playing in the background. This version has a more contemplative feel, giving it a cosy vibe and profound, raw emotions. The guitar coming in is a bold touch.
The Power of Love (performed by Paul Rudd) has a fun rock beat that reminds me of Starship’s We Built This City and Queen’s One Vision. The musicians are phenomenal in this tune, with drums, guitar, etc. The beat is bold and energetic, representing love’s intensity.
Finishing Line (performed by Paul Rudd) is a lovely piece with lovely piano playing in the background. It parallels Aerosmith and Bon Jovi. The song is romantic and soulful.
Fun Won’t Matter (performed by Nick Jonas) features a catchy beat that combines Pop with R&B-style sounds. There’s a sweet mix of excitement and nerves because of missing someone but also looking forward to seeing them.
I Wish is a catchy song performed as a duet by Paul Rudd & Nick Jonas. Their voices complement each other perfectly. There’s a fun 80s-style beat that parallels Janet Jackson’s 80s single Nasty and a 90s single by Will Smith, Wild Wild West.
Spectacular (performed by Nick Jonas) is a sweet ballad with a smooth rhythm. The song is romantic with rich poetic lyrics. The music is relaxing, creating a calming effect on the listener.
Satellite (performed by Paul Rudd) is a profound, poetic song about a woman struggling to understand her worth and doesn’t know she’s secretly admired by a man who cares about her. It’s a well-written romantic metaphor.
1984 (performed by Nick Jonas) reminds me of Footloose and Prince’s single Kiss. The song also reminds me of The Weeknd’s single Blinding Lights. The composition is remarkable, starting slowly and then shifting to a bold tempo change. The beat is incredible, and the music is so energetic, like something you hear in a classic 80s movie.
Dublin to L.A. (performed by Paul Rudd) is a fun, optimistic track that ends this soundtrack on a hopeful note. The music has an upbeat energy, with a rich composition. Paul Rudd’s voice is husky and soulful. The lyrics are heartwarming, written with feeling.
Covers
Paul Rudd’s covers of classic songs such as Celebration, Summer of 69 and Maneater were fantastic. Each piece honoured the music of the original version of these classics from the 70s, 80s, and 90s while adding a little contemporary touch in honour of the movie. There’s a fun, nostalgic component that gives them a nice touch.
The soundtrack to Power Ballad is available, and the movie is out in theatres.
