Slow Explosions (2016)
by Imaginary Authors

Someone else described it as a jammy rose and "jammy" is definitely the right word. That sticky fruity facet reminds me of a fig newton. Or more specifically, a warmed-up fig newton in a leather purse full of roses. Overall it doesn't do a ton for me, but to be honest few rose scents do. Nonetheless it's definitely an interesting scent and I can see people liking it if they're into rose.

Opens with sharp apple, rubbing alcohol, and leather. It’s fruity, bitter and dry. So much leather!

The alcohol is mostly gone after 10 minutes, but the apple and leather remain. It’s not my thing, but it’s intriguing. I can appreciate what the perfumer was trying to do.

Rose/Oud. pretty standard. Stupid strong. The medicinal oud almost has a camphor feel. Just too overpowering. One small spray filled the room for hours.

Polarizing. The first spray is very strong, lots of alcohol and immediately dies down into saffron and leather. It's a strange combination-the dry mustiness of the saffron pushes against dark leathery notes in a way that is jarring. There is some apple here, lots of medicinal benzoin. It's dark and moderately heavy, powdery with dark floral notes of rose as well.

It's well-blended and unique. It defies categories. Is it an Oriental? It doesn't have much sweetness and the saffron isn't traditional: it doesn't have a categorical spiciness, per-se. It has some floral notes but it certainly isn't a traditional Floral scent. It smells like something you would wear at a non-traditional formal gathering. Projection is below average to moderate, longevity is a few hours until a skin scent.

Overall, I don't find it a particularly pleasant scent, but it does feel like it's a labor of love that is quite well layered and has complexity: those layers are just a bit too combative with one another for me. Close to a thumbs up but...not quite there.

6.5/10

The opening is an abrasive rose with oily leather. The sweetness from the apple is also there but is gone after the opening. The rose note in the beginning and bitter, heaviness of the leather makes it feel like a Montale with the oud-rose combo. Also, the saffron + leather reminds me of Tuscan Leather a little.

Has average projection and longevity.