Manta

If your first thought of “citrus”is an air freshener, take a breath — we’re not there. This isn’t lemon sorbet in a pretty bottle. Manta is... something else. Citrus that doesn’t jump, it floats. Cool, airy, almost meditative. And just when you think that’s it, incense glides in. Not churchy. More like sunlight suspended over a quiet sea. In the base, there’s a faint mineral layer like a wet stone and sea breeze. All of it: quiet, stable, contemplative. No sugar, no clichés. No gender either — just: “I’m here, if you’re really listening.” Is it love? Still not sure. At first, it hit me like a punch in the face. But the more I wear it, the more it starts to speak. If you ever loved Fleur de Sel by Miller Harris, Manta might just inherit its throne one day — but with a straighter spine and a quieter soul.

It’s a wonderful opening of cold citrus marine air. Not marine in the salty manner. But marine in the cold depth it gives. I’ve never smelled orange and petit grain put in such a cool manner. The frankincense seems to pull the citruses back so that they never give their characteristic full force blast of citrus you may expect from other citrus fragrances. Similar to Fosforo, this scent has a typical resin, frankincense, play not a warm resinous role but an almost mentholated anchor. Then there’s the dry grass, I imagine a cold beach with dried grasses dormant for the winter. Remarkable to have notes be used in such wonderful and surprising ways.