Finnish-Australian singer-songwriter Teri Mantere is poised to captivate listeners with his latest offering, ‘Actual Facsimiles’, a five-track EP that serves as a poignant introduction. Known for his deeply introspective and quietly intense approach, Teri’s music highlights the power of lyrical storytelling, creating a musical world that draws you in time and time again.
Released today, ‘Actual Facsimiles’ artfully dives into themes of disillusionment, resistance, grief, and the faint flickers of hope that persist amidst instability. It’s a tender, sometimes fragile, yet sometimes triumphant, collection of songs that shines as Teri’s most thematically cohesive and emotionally charged release to date. Rooted in alt-folk sensibilities with subtle experimental flourishes that enrich his distinctive sound, it’s an EP of lingering moments and undeniable authenticity.
For the EP, Teri took on the entire creative process himself, writing, recording, and performing all instrumentation, including guitar, bass, keyboard, synths, drums, percussion, and vocals. It’s a complete and cohesive project, one where the deeply personal nature can permeate all elements of its creations. Expertly mastered by Matias Kiiveri, who also handled the mixing and mastering for the track ‘Bribe’, the EP unflinchingly examines emotional unravelling, political conscience, and the personal toll of navigating turbulent times.
The EP opens with ‘Facsimile Town’, a meditation on crumbling illusions and emotional fragility. It’s the track that first introduces Teri’s style, built upon tender acoustic guitar, hushed percussion, and his evocative vocals. This leads into ‘Bribe’, a powerful lyrical protest against complacency and the deceptive allure of security. Through an easy jazz flow, Teri sings poignant lines like "When it’s said and done, a bribe is lost, not won / Because you end up giving up your soul,” delivering his thoughts through an earnest cry.
Elsewhere, ‘Make This Easy’ offers a quiet yet piercing reflection on grief, distance, and the arduous struggle to move forward, with lines like “fire warming up my body, but my soul is always freezing, love has brought my life its meaning, now you just won't make this easy” sure to tug at the heartstrings. ‘The Last Word’ provides a taut examination of manipulation, conflict, and identity, while the EP concludes perfectly with ‘Silhouettes’, a dreamscape that mourns lost futures and unfulfilled visions, buoyed by lighter vocals and instrumentals that you can’t help but fall for.
It's a release brimming with undeniable heart and soul, where commercial considerations are cast aside in favour of creating something genuine and meaningful. Throughout, Teri’s lyrics and vocals are key to the EP’s success, offering a beating heart that is perfectly accompanied by the acoustic chords.
With ‘Actual Facsimiles’ Teri has delivered an EP that is both deeply personal and universally resonant, solidifying his place as a significant voice in contemporary alt-folk. Expect this release to linger in your thoughts long after the final note fades.
For more music from Teri Mantere, be sure to check out his website, or connect with Teri on Instagram and Facebook.
