The Velveteins - “Athene”
Photo by Evangeline Belzile
When The Velveteins promised a laid-back track that was inspired by Homer’s Iliad, they were were not lying. “Athene” is the very epitome of summer vibes, rolled into a dreamy pop-rock production.
This track wastes no time at all before introducing your ears to one of the most mellow rhythms we’ve heard all year. The steady, uplifting beat has a kick drum pattern that is designed to pump feel-good chemicals throughout your body, and you should begin to feel the warmth as soon as you press that play button. The bass, of course, adds to this aspect with its thick, pulsating pattern, creating a thick wall of low-end that serves as the track’s foundation.
With the rhythm section doing exactly what it’s supposed to do, layers of guitar fill the sonic space with ease, and are responsible for the ethereal and dreamy atmosphere of “Athene.” Everything is carefully placed, without any hints of overplaying, which leaves a space wide enough for the vocals to appear. And the voice of Spencer Morphy is precisely what the song needed in order to finish off this dream-like masterpiece. They are gently delivered, gliding through the arrangement with confidence, while also maintaining an air of intimacy.
Of course, the English teacher in me cannot ignore the song’s subject matter, which is steeped in a remarkable piece of literature– the epic poem, Iliad, from Homer. And about this, Morphy shares: “I was exploring through the Iliad at the time, so the lore was fresh in my mind, but I imagined a tale about a woman sort of mirroring Athene in modern life. I drew from great women that I know, and crafted a song that explored developing a relationship with her, and falling under her influence and just being along for the ride.”
“Athene” is a track that shouldn’t be ignored– in fact, once you’ve heard it, we suspect that you’ll keep it in rotation for quite some time. And don’t sleep on the video, which was directed by Lester Lyons-Hookham and choreographed and performed by Anya Allegra Saugstad:
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