Sydney-born, Helsinki-based singer-songwriter Teri Mantere continues his steady stream of independent output with his compelling double single, ‘Vultures’. Operating from a new perspective, one of personal fulfilment, and yet musically 'stuck' in Finland, Mantere crafts a listening experience that feels at once intimately fragile and unexpectedly sharp.
The title track, ‘Vultures’, hinges on a fascinating juxtaposition. Lyrically, it tackles the lingering anxiety of being picked apart by predatory opportunists and overbearing authority figures. Yet musically, it wraps these heavy themes in an upbeat, deceptively breezy arrangement. Mantere handles every aspect of performance, recording, and mixing himself, featuring drum machine textures sampled directly from a vintage Hammond home organ in his workspace.
The result is an organic, grounded rhythm section where steady percussion and a resonant bassline anchor bright, intricate acoustic guitar work. Over this layered production, his natural, unforced vocal delivery delivers choruses that casually imagine scavengers descending for the kill, matching the mood of his self-edited cover art where the narrator serenely awaits an approaching predator. The track was brought to a crisp final polish by mastering engineer Matias Kiiveri at Hollywood House studios.
Flipping the release over to companion track ‘Straw Man’, the tone shifts into something far more ambient and piano-led. Where ‘Vultures’ dances light-footedly over dark themes, ‘Straw Man’ lets the empty space do the heavy lifting. Built around tender keys and gradual swells of guitar and floating tones, the track builds into a richly textured soundscape that allows Mantere’s reflective vocal performance to hit with emotional weight. Echoes of folk icons like Joni Mitchell, Andrew Bird, and Ben Howard shimmer through both pieces, yet Mantere’s harmonic choices remain distinctly his own.
Stripping his music back to the emotive essentials, this double single remains an utterly captivating release from an artist quietly refining his craft. To stay up to date with new music, gigs, and creative updates, head over to Teri Mantere’s website or follow him on his Instagram and Facebook.
