Finding Her Place: Jay Som Explores Growth and Nostalgia on Belong

Jay Som’s Belong is the record you didn’t know you were waiting for, a six-year evolution of Melina Duterte’s artistry that bridges indie rock, electronic experimentation, and emo-tinged nostalgia. Since the release of Anak Ko in 2019, Duterte has spent years behind the boards, shaping some of the decade’s most lauded indie records while touring with boygenius and collaborating with the likes of Troye Sivan and beabadoobee. Now, she turns that expertise inward, crafting an album that is as collaborative as it is personal.
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From the opening synth shimmer of “Float” to the introspective beauty of “Appointments,” Belong is a masterclass in balance. Duterte mixes the anthemic with the intimate, the nostalgic with the forward-thinking. Tracks like “Casino Stars” recall early 2000s pop-punk and emo influences, while “D.H.” ventures into raw garage-rock territory, marked by grunge-inspired guitar textures. Even the collaborations—Jimmy Eat World’s Adkins on “Float,” Hayley Williams on “Past Lives”—serve the songs rather than distract, emphasizing Duterte’s skill at orchestrating space for others without losing herself.

Belong thrives on its tension between control and release. Duterte, who produced, engineered, and mixed the album herself, allows moments of imperfection and spontaneity to breathe, reflecting both her growth as an artist and the messy, beautiful process of finding one’s place in the world. This is a record steeped in reflection, ambition, and warmth; it’s a snapshot of someone who has finally learned to merge her youthful influences with her lived experiences.
In short, Belong is Jay Som’s most confident record yet—playful, sharp, and emotionally resonant. It’s an album that invites you in, challenges you, and leaves you wanting more, all at once. For those who’ve followed Duterte’s journey—or those just joining--Belong proves that sometimes, stepping back is the only way to leap forward.