What a solid record! Kind of like Liz Phair if she’d listened to more Shoegaze stuff. No bad cuts. Endearingly lo-fi but never cliche or trendy. Good songwriting too, Warm and fuzzy vibes all over, Jay Som is as inviting as she is intimate with her music. Her San Franciscan alternative rock style is subtle, finding its strength in charming lo-fi sound and simple pleasures.
Melina Duterte performs under her moniker Jay Som back in July. At the time, she was out on tour with Mitski and Japanese Breakfast, and she took the stage alone for a subdued set. When she passed through Seattle again in September, it was to open for Peter Bjorn and John, backed by a full band. Duterte’s quick ascent is a strong indication of both her talent and her growing importance to the West Coast music scene.
As Jay Som, her music covers almost every romantic notion imaginable, from sweet vignettes of a new relationship to heartbreak at the end of one. Her songs explore so much about human vulnerability that they might inspire you to spill a few secrets.
All tracks composed, arranged, produced, and performed by Melina Duterte.
The Fat Angel Sings 