Icelandic musician Unnar Gísli Sigurmundsson has been releasing music under the moniker of Júníus Meyvant for few years. In 2016 he released he debut full-length, Floating Harmonies, and this Friday, November 9 he’ll follow it up with Across the Borders. Our Song of the Day is early single “High Alert,” a soulful track that feels more American that Icelandic. Across the Borders was self-produced by Júníus Meyvant and engineered and mixed by Guðmundur Kristinn Jónsson (Ásgeir, Erlend Oye, Hjálmar) at the renowned Hljóðriti Studio on the outskirts of Reykjavik.
"The theme of the album lies in the title," explains Meyvant. "Always being on the move, seeking a better life, and not being afraid of everyday tasks. It is a mixture of self-awareness, self-pity, and self-control. Trying to be a better person minute by minute. Trying to bury this ego we've all got and to also understand why we have an ego and big dreams."
Meyvant will play this year’s Iceland Airwaves, including an exclusive KEXP session on Thursday, November 8th from 06:00AM PST/ 09:00AM EST. (More info here.) In the meantime, watch his 2016 performance from KEXP’s stage at Kex Hostel.
Finding good new music can be a full time job, so let KEXP help! In Our Headphones brings you five song recommendations every Monday, straight from KEXP’s DJs and Music Directors. Join hosts Janice Headley and Isabel Khalili on this never-ending journey of music discovery.
Host Emily Fox and KEXP’s editorial team talk with artists about the stories behind their songs and the experiences that inform their work. Through each conversation, we uncover the humanity behind the music, allowing us to hear it in a whole new way.