The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
Us arrived in 2020, a fragrance that turns inward rather than probing the edges of otherness. The name carries weight, a purpose beyond marketing. The fragrance translates that inquiry into material, spices and greens foraged from natural environments used throughout history for ceremonies, remedies, and perfumery, grounded by the deeper tones that create rootedness and a sense of security. The citric and green energy of its opening sits in deliberate contrast to the smoky, resinous depth of its base. It smells like the question, not the answer.
Euan McCall structured Us around a deliberate tension: the bright, citric green of bergamot and orange against the deeper, earthier base of vetiver, sandalwood, oud, and hyraceum. The hyraceum adds a primal, almost animalic depth without reading as aggressive. Combined with cypriol and cade juniper wood, it creates a smoky foundation. The tree moss absolute and labdanum add a resinous, slightly leathery quality that grounds the florals, geranium and rose, before they can become too delicate.
The evolution
The opening announces itself immediately, bergamot, black pepper, elemi, and a sharp hit of eucalyptus that clears the air. For the first twenty minutes, this reads as green and citrus, almost cleansing. Then the pink pepper and cardamom arrive to soften the edges, warming the composition as it prepares to shift. The heart is where things become interesting. Frankincense takes the lead, but geranium and rose add a sweetness that surprises, not floral in the traditional sense, but warm, almost resinous. Cardamom keeps the spice alive. Then the base takes over, and it does not let go. Vetiver and cade juniper wood create an earthy, smoky foundation that deepens over hours. Hyraceum adds an animalic depth that feels genuinely primal, the kind of smell that existed before synthetic materials, before modern perfumery, before the human ego decided it could improve on nature.
Cultural impact
Us occupies a particular space in the niche fragrance world, a smoky-green-aromatic composition that rewards patience and close attention. The character places it among fragrances that ask something of the wearer, inviting those who want something beyond conventional scent. The smoky-green-aromatic character places it among fragrances that reward patience and close attention. Those drawn to Us tend to seek something more considered than typical fragrance fare, looking for compositions that demand attention rather than simply projecting presence.
