Los Angeles-based multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and producer Melina Duterte, known professionally as Jay Som, has announced her first new album in over six years, Belong. She returns today with the album’s opening track, “Cards On The Table”, a shimmering piece of electronic pop where her warped vocals cascade over tessellated drum machines and synths, featuring Lexi Vega of Mini Trees on background vocals. Belong marks the first Jay Som album to include guest vocalists, including Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat World on “Float” and Hayley Williams of Paramore on the upcoming track “Past Lives.” Fans can catch Jay Som live on Dec. 11 at Warsaw (261 Driggs Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11222)
Duterte says of the song: “‘Cards On The Table’ is my favorite song on Belong! It’s about the shifting nature of friendships and how devastating conflict can be in platonic relationships when you feel misunderstood by each other. I think it’s a universal experience to navigate that type of dynamic. It feels like a never-ending cycle of people walking in and out of your life, but it ultimately leads to self discovery and growth.”
Jay Som will embark on her first North American tour in over 5 years this winter. See below to find a show near you, and get your tickets here.
Since Jay Som’s critically acclaimed sophomore album Anak Ko came out in 2019, Duterte has spent the last few years cultivating her passion for production and audio engineering. This lead to producing credits on the GRAMMY-winning boygenius album the record, Lucy Dacus’ latest Forever Is A Feeling, and countless beloved indie records. She also joined boygenius as a touring band member, collaborated alongside the likes of Troye Sivan and beabadoobee with No Rome, contributed to the I Saw the TV Glow soundtrack, and more. Yes, Jay Som itself has been on a bit of a break; Duterte, however, has perhaps been busier than ever.
Finally, Jay Som will release her new album Belong on October 10th via Polyvinyl Record Co. While Jay Som has always been a solo project for Duterte, this album finds her expanding her world by collaborating with outside musicians, writers and producers. Duterte wrote, composed, performed, produced, engineered and mixed the record with contributions from Joao Gonzalez (of Soft Glas), Mal Hauser (a collaborator to Mk.gee and Illuminati Hotties), Steph Marziano (producer for Vundabar, Hot Wax, Sir Chloe) and Kyle Pulley, and she also welcomed guest vocalists for the first time. The album finds Duterte searching for her place, or somewhere she belongs, within an indie rock ecosystem that Jay Som stepped away from for the past six years. The result is an album unlike any Jay Som record before it: a gripping 11-song set about self-definition that floats between supercharged power-pop hits and hazy ballads, between electronic curiosities and lighters-up anthems.
Tour dates
11/01 – Amsterdam, NE @ London Calling – Paradiso
11/03 – Berlin, Germany @ Kantine am Berghain
11/05 – Paris, France @ Pitchfork Paris – Le Trabendo
11/06 – Brussels, Belgium @ Botanique – Rotonde
11/08 – London, UK @ Pitchfork London – Earth Theatre
11/23 – Los Angeles, CA @ El Rey
12/02 – Austin, TX @ The Parish
12/03 – Dallas, TX @ Club Dada
12/05 – Atlanta, GA @ Aisle 5
12/08 – Washington, DC @ Atlantis
12/11 – New York, NY @ Warsaw
12/12 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Spirit Hall
12/13 – Chicago, IL @ Lincoln Hall
12/14 – Minneapolis, MN @ Fine Line
# w/ Lucy Dacus
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