“I could use a story … ”

So begins the first song titled “Igloo” on the soundtrack for the new movie Where the Wild Things Are. What follows is exactly that — a beautiful, winding and melodic narrative, one that for the most part can stand alone from the film. The soundtrack, by Yeah Yeah Yeahs frontwoman Karen O and an enigmatic backing band called The Kids — a collaboration between a children’s choir, members of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and their indie compatriots Deerhunter and The Raconteurs — is memorable on its own.

That backing band The Kids is actually mostly made up of adults is rather telling, as the album brings a sophistication severely lacking from other PG soundtracks. Amidst the droning of tween-fantasies Miley Cyrus and the Jo Bros, O’s twang and transporting melodies stand out and show what children’s music can (and should) be. Though songs like “Rumpus,” “All Is Love” and “Heads Up” have an upbeat quality, the soundtrack allows feelings other than perky to come through.

The best song on the album, a cover of Daniel Johnston’s “Worried Shoes,” and other original tracks like “Hideaway,” are slow and haunting, with thought-provoking lyrics. O and Spike Jonze clearly believe children to be capable of understanding and feeling more complex emotions than their Disney counterparts.

So — when driving your younger sibling to soccer practice — lose the Miley, and turn up Karen O in your mom’s mini-van instead. You’ll both appreciate it.