Pop/Review FRUM - Whirpool
FRUM is the artist project by Jenný Kragesteen, a Faroese musician known for her ability to push the boundaries of experimental pop music with her distinctive sound that blends ethereal vocals, intricate production, and deeply personal storytelling. Growing up in the Faroe Islands, close to breaking waves and green mountains, Jenný released her first single, “Birdstone,” in 2016. This was followed by a number of singles and striking visuals and music videos.
“Whirlpool” is a mesmerizing examination of the cyclical essence of life—its motion, emotion, and transformation—through a meticulously built electro-pop landscape by Faroese musician FRUM (Jenný Kragesteen). With its dreamy intro and outro, this eight-track album is like entering a sonic river that expands outward while drawing you inward.
“Whirlpool's” duality—the combination of complex production and minimalist textures, strength and fragility, introspection and awe of the cosmos—is what really makes it resonate. Songs like "Sun Aura" and "Orbit With You" pulse with a steady rhythmic heartbeat, while others meander in ambient reflection, making room for breathing and feeling. Each track is a ripple in a larger story.
The vocals of FRUM glide lightly above glitchy beats, analog synths, and changing soundscapes, seeming both grounded and otherworldly. Carefully crafted in partnership with other female producers, the creation feels purposeful and invigorating, a subdued declaration of inclusivity in a still male-dominated field.
“Whirlpool” has an almost hypnotic effect, but it doesn't become monotonous. Rather, the album is filled with a range of emotions, including joy, grief, surrender, and rejuvenation, all of which cohabit in the whirlpool of sound. It's a captivating audio experience that encourages introspection, movement, and relaxation.
With “Whirlpool,” FRUM has produced a live, breathing cycle of sound rather than just an album. It's a striking and exquisite illustration of the force of women's creativity, artistic development, and the allure of change. This music is both intimate and wide, appealing to the soul in addition to the ears.