Song of the Day: Júníus Meyvant - Beat Silent Need

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 DJ’s think you should hear. Today’s song, featured on the Afternoon Show with Kevin Cole, is "Beat Silent Need" by Júníus Meyvant from his 2016 debut LP, Floating Harmonies, on Record Records.

Júníus Meyvant - Beat Silent Need (MP3)

Two years we've been waiting for the arctic soul of Júníus Meyvant to breeze across the world. But, it's not as if those two years have been empty - after all, the young Icelandic musician has released a few singles since then and a 4-song EP last year, earning a few awards in his home country and praise abroad, plus, he's played several times live on KEXP. Now that we're running out of new and sufficient accolades to describe his ever-developing lush orchestration and enticing compositions, we finally have the fruition of that time in his newly released debut LP, Floating Harmonies. Twelve glorious songs brim with airy melodies, stirring harmonies, beguiling brass, soothing strings, killer keys and, of course, Júníus Meyvant's enticing voice, which soothes hearts and minds like a warm breath on a frost-touched flower. (Okay, we haven't run out of syrupy exhalations yet!) Today's featured song, "Beat Silent Need", is one of the album's more spirited and inspirational numbers, as it trots right out of the gate with a quick cadence. "Don't let my feet run over you", Júníus Meyvant repeats, blazing his own trail as he encourages his listeners to do the same: "Seed the life you need / Feed the morning light". Hum a few bars, tap your feet, and before you know it you're read to "Bloom to sonic flight". Strap in!

It's a good thing you'll be listening to this song on repeat for a while, because, as of yet, Júníus Meyvant doesn't have any U.S. dates scheduled. He will be playing in Reykjavik at the end of the month and then touring Europe in September and back home in time for Iceland Airwaves 2016. Look for updates and listen to more music on his website and Facebook page. For now, here he is performing "Beat Silent Need" live at Kex Hostel in Reykjavik during KEXP's broadcast from Iceland Airwaves last year: