Album Review
4-5 Stars Definitely worth the wait.
Reviewer: Sarah Jamieson
Released: 10th October 2025
Label: Lucky Number
On the surface, it may seem like Jay Som has been absent for quite a while, given that Melina Duterte's last release was just over six years ago. However, her recent years have been anything but a break, as the multifaceted artist has been honing her production skills, collaborating with Palehound in their duo Bachelor, and touring with boygenius after contributing to their Grammy-winning album ‘The Record’. It's no surprise, then, that her collaborative phase continues unabated on her fourth album ‘Belong’, which serves as a rich and satisfying collection filled with depth and introspection. Drawing inspiration from her early affection for radio rock and pop punk, the participation of Jimmy Eat World’s Jim Adkins on the track ‘Float’ is a brilliant choice, with an infectious energy reminiscent of earlier works from the band. Additionally, Melina ventures further beyond her usual sonic boundaries than ever; ‘Meander / Sprouting Wings’ presents a disorienting, glitchy sound complemented by nearly unintelligible lyrics, while the surreal, pitch-shifted vocals on ‘A Million Reasons Why’ envelop one of her more contemplative tracks. However, it’s her collaboration with Hayley Williams, ‘Past Lives’, that stands out as the highlight, blending the beautiful softness of boygenius with a garage-rock flair to produce one of the album’s most exquisite moments. A record that beautifully reflects her evolution as both an artist and a collaborator, ‘Belong’ certainly proves to be worth the wait.
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Definitely worth the wait.