Description
Release Date Friday 10th October 2025
All pre-orders will be dispatched/made ready for collection on that day.
Letting the half-decade of life and work since releasing 2019's Anak Ko filter not only into her songs but also her process, Melina
Duterte, aka Jay Som, has opened up her music to herself and her memories, writing songs that revisit the sounds of her youth with
the benefit of her experience as a musician, producer, and performer. No previous Jay Som album sounds quite like Belong, a
gripping 11-song set about self-definition and, well, belonging, that floats between supercharged power-pop hits and hazy ballads,
between electronic curiosities and lighters-up anthems.
Growing up with alt-rock radio outside of San Francisco, Melina memorised the hits of early ’00s pop-punk and emo as a teen.
Fittingly, that is Jimmy Eat World’s Jim Adkins, one of those childhood heroes, offering background vocals on "Float"; whilst Hayley
Williams lends soft harmonies on the arcing “Past Lives”, and Lexi Vega, of Mini Trees, contributes to "Cards On The Table", these
three are Jay Som’s first-ever guest vocalists, representing Duterte’s push to try new things with people she trusts.
Since her last album, Melina decided to splurge on herself and her lifelong interest in recording. Purchasing a vintage Neve console,
she committed herself to becoming more than her own home-recording engineer. Five years later, she now boasts a rich résumé of
production and mixing credits, including on Lucy Dacus’ latest album Forever Is A Feeling, guest spots alongside the likes of Troye
Sivan, No Rome and beabadoobee, a contribution to A24’s I Saw the TV Glow soundtrack, and a Grammy for her work on The Record
by boygenius, the band she subsequently joined as a touring member. Yes, Jay Som itself has been on a bit of a break, but Duterte
has been busier than ever.
TRACKLIST:
1. Cards On The Table
2. Float (feat. Jim Adkins)
3. What You Need
4. Appointments
5. Drop A
6. Past Lives (feat. Hayley Williams)
7. D.H.
8. Casino Stars
9. Meander / Sprouting Wings
10. A Million Reasons Why
11. Want It All
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thank you for looking at our listing, below are a few points to consider before making a purchase:
- All records we sell are Brand New - pre-orders will normally come sealed but if you are purchasing in stock items, please note the copy may have been unsealed for display in the shop. Please email straight after purchase to enquire if this is of importance to you.
- Orders won't ship until all items are released, so keep this in mind when purchasing multiple pre-orders or a mix of in stock and pre-order items.
- The 'Product' page will show the most up to date info we have with regards to the item and its release date, but this information is subject to change so check in with us if you have any questions.
- We unfortunately don't offer tax/vat outside of the UK via the website so please keep in mind that when the items arrives in your country you may be liable to pay a further charge before delivery. (all UK orders the price you see is the price you will pay). Please also note that we are unable to adjust the declared value on items sold internationally.
Payment & Security
Your payment information is processed securely. We do not store credit card details nor have access to your credit card information.