Anak Ko

Melina Duterte, aka Jay Som, wrote most of her brilliant new album, Anak Ko --pronounced Ah-nuh Koh

and meaning "my child" in Filipino-- in a burst during a self-imposed week-long solo retreat to

Joshua Tree. As in the past, Duterte recorded at home and remained the sole producer, engineer,

and mixer. Honing in on simplicity and groove, refining her skills as a producer, Duterte cracked

her sound open subtly, highlighting its best parts: She's bloomed.

Inspired by the lush, poppy sounds of 80s bands such as Prefab Sprout, the Cure, and Cocteau

Twins --as well as the ecstatic guitarwork of contemporary Vancouver band Weed-- Anak Ko sounds

dazzlingly tactile, and firmly present. The result is a refreshingly precise sound.