"Across the Borders is not a happy-clappy pop record. Whilst melodies and arrangements vary from upbeat soul to softer, folk-ier moments, the one constant on Across the Borders is Meyvant's vocal. It's got an edge to it which cuts through the brightest of melodies. If someone like Curtis Mayfield uses falsetto to sweeten his tracks, Meyvant has a slight roughness to his vocal that makes happy songs hurt and sad songs hurt more. This edge stops any track becoming too sickly sweet".