The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
Jorum Studio, founded in Edinburgh in 2019, built its identity on Scottish pragmatism laced with humor, scent as poetry meets chemistry. The Psychoterratica project began as a collective experiment: a shared experiment launched that same year to craft something genuinely new. In 2020, perfumer Euan McCall took this concept further, developing Psychoterratica II as a distillation of bright citrus and unexpected forest elements drawn from Scotland's rugged landscape. The fragrance emerged not from a single brief but from collaborative exploration, reflecting the brand's belief that perfume should feel personal and expressive rather than commercial.
Jorum Studio's approach to note selection is relational rather than hierarchical, notes are chosen for how they converse, not their individual prominence. In Psychoterratica II, davana and galbanum occupy the heart despite their unusual positioning, chosen because they create friction with the citrus and florals that prevents the fragrance from becoming predictable. Galbanum's sharp green bite counterbalances peony's romantic softness; davana's bitter, wine-like quality provides unexpected complexity alongside bergamot. Vetiver and cedarwood serve as structural anchors, their woody depth tempering galbanum's edge while allowing the brighter elements room to breathe.
The evolution
Psychoterratica II begins with an immediate citrus statement, bergamot and citron arriving together, unapologetically bright against a galbanum greenness that borders on astringent. Within the first hour, the composition shifts as petitgrain and davana enter, their bitter-herbal character tempering the citrus brightness. Peony blooms softly in the heart alongside lavender, creating an aromatic floral space that feels both structured and romantic. Galbanum persists here, threading through with its green precision. As the heart deepens, vetiver and cedarwood establish a woody foundation that grounds the florals without overwhelming them. Patchouli and musk arrive as the fragrance transitions into its drydown, their earth and skin-like warmth creating intimate depth. The final minutes reveal ambergris and tonka bean, a warm, slightly sweet animalic base that feels almost meditative. Moss lingers as the composition fades, leaving a quiet trace that speak to how thoroughly considered this fragrance's arc is.
Cultural impact
Psychoterratica II captures a moment of urban optimism, blending the zest of grapefruit with the crispness of cucumber to evoke a bustling morning market. Its composition reflects a cultural shift toward bright, gender‑neutral fragrances that celebrate individuality. The inclusion of pink pepper adds a subtle spice that mirrors the growing appetite for nuanced, layered scents in contemporary perfumery, while guava and pear introduce a tropical sweetness that resonates with global travel trends. This fragrance stands as a testament to the modern desire for freshness combined with depth, appealing to a diverse audience seeking both vibrancy and sophistication.
