Belong

Some artsists are made to make indie rock. Jay Som is one of them.

The dyanmic (but not overlycomplicated) 11-song album is Melina Duterte’s in 6 years. Her 2019 Anak Ko was thoroughly successful, though Belong feels stronger. Specifically, it feels more unique. Anok Ko was both comforting and comfortable, but it didn’t feel particularly expansive or different from other indie rock. It was sleepy and sweet mood-booster, but didn’t feel more noteable than an average Vansire, Men I Trust, or Mac DeMarco album.

Belong is different. The record feels not only like a perfect fit for Duterte, but it also feels distinct from much of the indie rock out at the moment. While authentically true to the genre, Belong is the perfect balance of varied elements: homages to the nostalgia of 2000’s alt rock (Float ft. Jimmy Eat World’s Jim Adkins), as well as new takes on the classic sound (Past Lives ft. Haley Williams); Clairo-inspired indie bedroom pop softness (Drop A, What You Need ft. Soft Glas); a tired kind of sadness (Appointments); a proficiency in the heavier, grungier side of indie (DH, Want It All); goddamn catchy melodies (Casino Stars); and an almost Frank Ocean-like mastery of slowed, distorted interludes with minimalistic, poetic writing (Meander/Sprouting Wings and A Million Reasons Why).

Few artists can make all the above elements sound well-produced - let alone arrange them in a coherent way within one single album. Even fewer artists are as humble and likeable as Jom Say. Her thoughtful energy is transmitted through her sophisticated and meditative writing: “If you’re the angel sprouting wings, I’ll hold your power, supply all your needs; A hundred yards underneath, in backward motion, soiled machines.” She taps into emotional highs and lows while maintaining boundaries and an equillibirum. Just the right amount of vulnerable, she processes the hurt of humanhood while ultimately making us feel like everything will be ok. What You Need has especially nice writing. 

Upon the return of this abulm, Duterte stated in an interview that she understands the younger generations now. You can see it in Belong. It resonates strongly as an album for the youth. Collaborating with both new and legendary alternative artists establishes it as an authentically indie rock album (with a deep understanding of the genre) but made for the indie fans of today. The graaceful coming-of-age feel hits right where we want it to. 

“I wanted to see you; I wanted to cry; I wanted to let myself live in a lie.” <3