Júníus Meyvant - High Alert

Song of the Day
Hosted by Kevin Cole
Today’s song, featured on The Afternoon Show with Kevin Cole and chosen in honor of Iceland Airwaves 2018 is "High Alert" by Júníus Meyvant, from the 2019 album Across The Borders on Record Records.
WRITTEN BY JASMINE ALBERTSON
PHOTO BY Matthew B. Thompson

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.

Introducing

In-Our-Headphones-Graphic-1080x1080.jpg

In Our Headphones

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.

A-Deeper-Listen-Graphic-FINAL-1080x1080.jpg

A Deeper Listen

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.

Latest Episodes

On the show this time, it’s Canadian artist Rochelle Jordan, blending 90s pop, vintage UK house and garage, electronic, and progressive hip-hop.

Exploring some of the women-led bands on Kurt's list, Kurt's feminism, and the very notion of grouping bands together based on gender identity

Exploramos el legado femenino en el punk a través de los álbumes 'Dry' de PJ Harvey, 'Cut' de The Slits y el debut homónimo de The Raincoats.

Award-Winning Podcasts

Named one of the "Best New Podcasts of 2022" by Spotify, and a 2023 Webby Award Honoree

2024 Winner "Best Entertainment Podcast" in the Webbys, 2023 Best Work in Music Journalism Award from the Reeperbahn Festival, 2023 Nominee for "Best Music Pod…


More From Song of the Day

Today's Song of the Day, as chosen by DJ Morgan, host of the Variety Mix on Saturday afternoons, is "Asking" by Chalk, from the 2023 Conditions EP on Dutch Til…

Today's Song of the Day, as chosen by DJ Morgan, host of the Variety Mix on Saturday afternoons, is "Bantu Cakes" by Bantu Spaceship, from the 2023 album Bantu…

Today's Song of the Day, as chosen by DJ Morgan, host of the Variety Mix on Saturday afternoons, is "Deixem O Morto Morrer" by Ana Lua Caiano, from the 2024 al…