Jay Som teams up with Hayley Williams for Past Lives video ahead of Pitchfork London whynow

Jay Som Teams Up with Hayley Williams for "Past Lives" Video

Jay Som has released the video for "Past Lives," featuring Hayley Williams of Paramore, ahead of her performance at Pitchfork Festival London this Saturday, 8th November. The track is part of her first album in over six years, Belong, which has quickly become a fan favorite as a slow-burning indie gem.

Animated Video Brings Reflection to Life

The new animated clip, directed by Daniel Topete, vividly captures the song’s sense of spiraling reflection through colorful visuals.

Jay Som’s Return After a Hiatus

Released earlier this year on Lucky Number, Belong marks Jay Som’s confident return after a long break from solo work. Since her 2019 album Anak Ko, Melanie Duterte has quietly built an impressive résumé in indie music, producing and engineering for artists such as boygenius, Lucy Dacus, Troye Sivan, and Beabadoobee.

Joined Boygenius on tour, adding guitar and vocals to live performances
Worked behind the scenes with several notable indie acts

Critical Acclaim for "Belong" and "Past Lives"

The Observer called the album “a reminder of why she’s one of the most quietly brilliant artists around.”

DIY described it as “assured, emotionally rich and full of depth.”

The Guardian singled out “Past Lives” as “the perfect soundtrack to getting introspective as the dark nights draw in.”

Artist's Reflection on the Album

Melanie Duterte explained that Belong is about “trying to find where I fit after stepping away for a while.” The album’s 11 tracks explore this theme deeply.

Author’s summary: Jay Som’s latest album Belong and its standout track “Past Lives” showcase her introspective return, enriched by collaborations and critical praise.

whynow — 2025-11-04