Jay Som Announces First Album in Six Years Featuring Hayley Williams, Jim Adkins

Melina Duterte, known as Jay Som, is releasing her first album in over six years titled Belong on October 10 via Polyvinyl. This album marks a new step as it features guest vocalists for the first time, including Paramore's Hayley Williams, Jimmy Eat World's Jim Adkins, and Lexi Vega from Mini Trees. The lead singles "Float," featuring Adkins, and "A Million Reasons Why" showcase a range of sounds from pop punk-inspired melodies to downtempo psych-pop, with the themes centered around self-preservation and facing the fear of the unknown. Duterte, who wrote, produced, and mixed the album herself, emphasizes the collaborative nature of this record, expressing trust in her friends who contributed to the project. "Float" also has a music video directed by Nina Ljeti, which subtly references Jimmy Eat World's iconic "The Middle." Following summer tour dates supporting Lucy Dacus, Jay Som will embark on a headlining tour across North America and Europe, with stops at major festivals like Pitchfork Music Festival Paris and London.