Song of the Day: Júníus Meyvant - Hailslide

Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part of our Song of the Day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJs think you should hear. Today’s song, featured on The Afternoon Show with Kevin Cole, is “Hailslide” by Júníus Meyvant from his forthcoming self-titled EP, due July 17, on Record Records.

Júníus Meyvant - Hailslide (MP3)

Don't say you weren't warned - here, here, here and here - that soon everyone will know the name Júníus Meyvant. The young Icelandic singer-songwriter is ready to enrapt you with his second single, the followup to his indelible debut, "Color Decay". Sharing the same orchestral groove, "Hailslide" sheds any hint of brewing melancholia for a breezier side of Northern soul, as horns and strings sweep through baroque choruses of "sweet", "flowing" pastoral melodies, bearing such fecundity to make even Nick Drake fans blush. Júníus Meyvant (real name Unnar Gísli Sigurmundsson) draws deep from the same well that has nourished other inward-seeking artists, from Sam Cooke to Van Morrison, D'Angelo to Alabama Shakes.

We can't wait for Júníus Meyvant's music to blow into record stores Stateside. His single for "Hailslide" will be released on his self-titled debut EP, due July 17, and can be found now on the compilation series This Is Icelandic Indie Music vol. 3, both on Record Records. A debut LP is in the works for early next year. Until then, you can keep up with Júníus Meyvant on his website and Facebook page. For now, here he is performing "Hailslide" live on KEXP from Kex Hostel in Reykjavik during Iceland Airwaves last year: