Next To Me Or Nothing

Discothèque’s branding is seriously on point. You can tell there’s real care in the presentation: the visual language, the references, the copy, the whole mood. This one in particular got me to blind buy, and I almost never do that. Images of woven blue silk on skin, references to Kyoto, intimate fragments of prose... I mean, shit. With a name like Next To Me Or Nothing, who was I to resist? Luckily, it delivers on what it sets out to do. I get all the listed notes: cold milk, jasmine flourishes, cloudy sake, soft musk, tender tonka, and even whispers of rice. It’s sheer, delicate, and sensual, but in a much sexier way than I expected. Less obvious seduction, more intimacy in the pale blue of morning. The lactonic quality is cool and smooth rather than creamy-rich, while the sake and rice-like facets give it this pale, slightly sharp translucence. It stays close, powdered, musky, and faintly sweet. I can see how the powdery-tonka facets might read a little “mothball-y” to some noses, especially if you’re sensitive to an almond register. Texturally, it reminds me of Cuvée Skin by BTSO, but this feels cooler, more diaphanous, and more emotionally intimate. Also don’t expect a powerhouse scent for a night out, this is firmly a skin-scent. Next To Me Or Nothing is exactly the kind of fragrance that proves branding can be more than packaging. When the concept, name, visuals, and scent all speak the same language, the whole thing becomes dangerously persuasive.

Got the sample of this with my order and first impression is incredible. I’m enamored... but I’ll prob come back to edit this and expound once I’ve had more than a few days with it. Initial thoughts is that it’s a very discotheque-esque skin scent. As in they have had a few successful takes on putting a new spin on an overdone category (Heathens, Lola) and I feel like they set out to make an original skin musk as a foundational frag in the collection. I feel like they nailed it. But I’m going to report back after more wear time. EDIT: coming back to say after using the full sample I have since purchased a fb. I still can't totally describe why I love it so, it has me a bit at a loss for descriptive words lol she's MYSTERIOUS. Also after reading so many varying reports of its longevity, I'm thankful it lasts me min of 4-6 hours every application. On clothes I can smell it for 1-2 days. My skin definitely does not eat it up like some (or at least does veryyy slowly). BUT I am infamously a sucker for a skin scent so take it with a grain of salt!

This ones surprisingly grown on me. Originally got it as a freebie with Heathens, Cowboys & The Santa Ana Winds, but when you get three compliments in one day the universe is telling you something. At this point I'm probably reiterating what everyone else has said. Its an intimate skin scent, composition is clean, musky and boozy with a surprising moderate duration. It really does carry a smooth whispery feel to it, so I get the jazz club inspiration they were going for. Just dont expect it to radiate far, people really have to be next to you or they smell nothing. Overall though I'm interested in seeing what this house does next. Personally I wouldn't mind something more 1980s Miami or Colombia. Real Griselda Blanco & Vice vibes.

i was like a dog hearing its favorite words when i first saw the notes listed. the imagery roped me in. this was an instant blind buy and i’m pleased to say it was a successful one. this comprises all of my favorite notes, infused into one beautiful pale blue bottle. i’m a sucker for a skin scent and this is no exception. i wish i got a little more of the cold milk or even the jasmine but i can always layer other fragrances as desired. this holds up well on its own and against some of my most beloved milky, floral rice musks, all while offering something a little new and nuanced. happy that i got my hands on this

Lovely fragrance. The star jasmine and milk notes make for a nice skin scent. But be warned that this is indeed a skin scent, as the name suggests, if someone’s not right next to you, they’ll smell nothing. The comparisons to Le Labo’s thé matcha are warranted, and it has an abstract quality to it that reminds me another 13 as well, but this fragrance doesn’t have the projection of another 13. It achieves the ethereal, spring vibes they were going for in their description of the scent, so overall it delivered on its promises.