Jay Som – the project of Los Angeles-based multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and producer Melina Duterte – returns today, announcing her first new album in over six years. 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 is back to announce Belong (Polyvinyl Record Co.), out October 10th. 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. She also welcomed guest vocalists for the first time on one of her albums, featuring Hayley Williams (of Paramore), Jim Adkins (of Jimmy Eat World) and Lexi Vega (of Mini Trees) on different tracks. 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. 

Alongside today’s announcement, Jay Som shares two tracks off of the record. First is “Float (feat. Jim Adkins),” plus “A Million Reasons Why.” Duterte grew up with rock radio outside of San Francisco, memorizing the hits of early ’00s pop-punk and emo as a teen. Though she was 400 miles north along the California coast, The O.C. soundtracks—Imogen Heap, Bloc Party, Death Cab for Cutie, and so on—became major touchstones, too. You immediately hear the collision of it all in “Float (feat. Jim Adkins),” the first song Duterte wrote for Belong. “This song is about desperately trying to hold on to past versions of yourself for self-preservation. The fear of the unknown is so overwhelming that sometimes the best solution is to sit with it instead of fighting or running from it.” Adkins adds, “Melina is an absolute professional in all aspects of music creation. I am honored she had space in her vision for me to contribute. And it was a lot of fun to work on. Great song!“ Listen to “Float (feat. Jim Adkins)” and watch the Nina Ljeti-directed music video, which unintentionally but very serendipitously references Jimmy Eat World’s “The Middle” music video.

Jay Som announces her first North American tour in over 5 years today. She will also support Lucy Dacus on tour this Summer. See below to find a show near you, and get your tickets HERE, on sale this Friday, July 11th at 10 am locally.

Tour Dates:

07/25 – Philadelphia, PA @ FDR Park %#
07/26 – Columbus, OH @ KEMBA Live! #
07/27 – Milwaukee, WI @ Riverside Theater #
07/29 – Detroit, MI @ Masonic Temple Theatre #
07/30 – Lewiston, NY @ Artpark Mainstage Theater #
08/02 – Shelburne, VT @ The Green at Shelburne Museum #
08/08 – Troutdale, OR – Edgefield Amphitheater #
08/09 – Boise, ID – Morrison Center #
08/10 – Carnation, WA – Remlinger Farms #
08/12 – Vancouver, BC – Queen Elizabeth Theatre # SOLD OUT
08/13 – Vancouver, BC – Queen Elizabeth Theatre #
08/16 – Berkeley, CA – The Greek Theatre #
10/31 – 11/01 – Amsterdam, NE @ London Calling – Paradiso
11/03 – Berlin, DE @ Kantine am Berghain
11/6 – Brussels, BE @ Botanique, Rotonde
11/05 – Paris, France @ Pitchfork Paris – Le Trabendo
11/08 – London, UK @ Pitchfork London
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
12/09 – Philadelphia, PA @ Foundry
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/ Hop Along

# w/ Lucy