Radio Bombay

Aha! OK yes - after a bit of fiddling about with the dial to tune into what was special about it - I'm convinced. Sandalwood resonates with my soul, and I'm usually on DS&D's wavelength. All those naturalesque outdoorsy woods and aromatics, not too many flowers, unisex-ish ... and as hipster-cliche as some of their schtick may be, it works for me, NEARLY all the time. There can be misfires though, and when they're bad they're bad. I'd been unimpressed by this on a rushed store-test (never a good idea), but trying again from a vial at home, in quieter conditions .... oh my. Not super-sweet, and mercifully not smothered with roses. It really does have a sort of chemical-mineral-metallic edge to it (?ambrette's useful dirtiness, maybe?) which somehow does conjure the inside of retro cabinets, a tang of 'factory manufacture' in amid the smooth, aromatic woodiness. There's a definite waft of real copper wiring in there. Almost spicy-bitter, but not like a true Santal de Mysore-a-like - this is airy rather than thick and overwhelming. Not at all over-gourmand'ed either - despite the coconut, this seemed to me perfectly in the middle of the sandalwood spectrum, neither the harsh/masc/dill/'blue' savoury end nor the often rose/coconut/vanilla/peach/femme/tropic-flowery end. Instead this is some warm, mellow, welcoming space in between, but with that extra tang of weird (wired?) from the industrial-chemical-sawmill tinge. It's the smell equivalent of proper, analogue crackle & static on the airwaves - that imperceptible texture that tells you you're dealing with real-world skills, played on real instruments by real people. Dammit. Thought I could safely ignore it, but no - it's going on my own personal Top 20 selection of sandalwoods and I hope to get it into regular rotation whenever my pocket allows. One for the sandalwood or DSD fanatics, I feel - because if you're only exploring, and you just like sandalwood in general, but not THAT much - then there are many similar things at much more reasonable prices. But this really does justify its existence (if not the full RRP) by being distinctive, different and robust. If I were on the panel: I still judge it a smash hit.

Radio Bombay has got to be the most fabulous creamy sandalwood out there. I don't detect many of the official notes. Instead this smells like sandalwood and other woods mixed with the humid aroma of steam escaping from a rice cooker. The coconut is one of the most realistic that I have ever encountered in a perfume. It vividly brings back special memories of my grandmother grating coconuts to use on some sort of Filipino dessert (puto or cuchinta)—now I'm drooling. The scent seems to come and go for the first couple of hours. A few hours after spraying, it comes back full force as sandalwood mixed with temple incense. In a way it's reminiscent of a sandalwood incense stick that hasn’t been lit (not smoky). I see it reminds people of Santal 33, one of my favorites by Le Labo. I can understand that because they are both woody, tropical, moist, greenish. I smell mango in Santal 33, although it's not listed in the notes, and I feel as though there is a perception of mango in Radio Bombay because I keep picturing one of my favorite Asian desserts--glutinous rice with mango and coconut milk. It also reminds me of a local dish from the island of Cebu in the Philippines called hanging rice, which is rice cooked in weaved coconut fronds. I also keep imagining a touch of salt in these dishes, so maybe the "copper" note is this tempting saltiness. Truly a sandalwood gem. Especially if you love the scent of rice. I bought the large bottle.

I’m stunned by some of these reviews. I think Radio Bombay is a phenomenal juice. Beautiful, creamy, REAL coconut opens but doesn’t stay, folds itself under a loud copper twang to make way for sandalwood, cedar, a playful amount of Christmas-y green, and a big hit of ISO E Super. My nose skips over peach and boronia if there really is any but certainly catches some comforting powdery iris, tempered by a woody, metallic drydown. Glad the iris is there, too, otherwise the copper and green together might make this more interesting than wearable to me. Shocked the copper isn’t listed, suspect it’s a phenolic result of the ISO E, but that does keep it interesting, the kind of interesting I hope to find in a DS&Durga formula. Smells like the stereo, exactly as promised. I love it. It works well with my skin and feels sexy and cool but unfussy, not boring, not trying to convince anyone it’s sexy and cool. It just is. If you’re unhappy with it I’d recommend layering with another sweeter, more gourmand sandalwood fragrance, it becomes very pretty and easy when worn with a vanilla or gooey caramel note. My one qualm is that it’s named Radio Bombay while Debaser got to be named after a Pixes song. This smells exactly like a Black Francis whine and I think it’s unjust.

The first time I sprayed this on, I was very nervous. The very first burst was a crackle of static electricity and my first thought was to scrub it off immediately. But I decided to grit my teeth and wait it out, and it dried down to a fantastic dry, dusty peach skin scent. Now I've worn it half a dozen times and the opening no longer hits me in the same way. I get a sharp, coppery jab, but it's pleasant rather than jarring, and it still dries down to the lovely peach skin. If there's any coconut, it's coconut flakes, not milk or meat. This isn't what I would personally call "creamy" or "powdery". This leans more feminine to me, and it's not girly sweet, which I really appreciate. Nobody has commented on it, and I haven't asked, so I have no idea how good the projection is. My impression is not very far, but I'm not looking to make an impression when I walk into the room anyway, just to like how I smell. I also don't find it lasts more than maybe 5 hours? but that's my experience with pretty much any perfume I've tried so far, so I don't really hold that against it. Love it! Looking forward to trying more DS & Durga once I am flush.

First review here and glad it’s Radio Bombay. I went looking for my scent memory of amber resin and landed at the fragrance counter of Mertz Apothecary in Chicago. After describing this and additional woodsy scent preferences we tried a few different fragrances and when I got to Radio Bombay I was immediately taken aback - stunned really as a grin spread across my face. I didn’t even want to try any others. The scent immediately radiated warmth that embraced me. Yes, undeniably sandalwood all over with an underlying soft accent (that word seems too sharp - maybe more like the feeling of touching a smooth finely lacquered wood grain - is there an English word for this?) of hearth. For this reason I can see why others lean towards the autumn season. RB is heavy and a few sprays may give too much projection. However I’ve found wearing on my skin on a hot summer day the projection is noticeable and intriguing and a bit mysterious. For a richer experience I would recommend DS&D’s Amber Kiso, another favorite.

Such an interesting and unique scent that comes across as simple, but beautifully so. I get mainly sandalwood, with a hint of creamy coconut, with a subtle metallic vein running through. But this does not present as a tropical or sweetened coconut that is far too utilized. This is definitely an outside the box type of smell, while being beautiful and non-offensive. I find it to have decent longevity, but it does sit close to the skin. Because it’s not sweet, i feel as though this would be a welcomed fragrance to use in the heat and humidity of summer (haven’t tested it hot weather yet). To me, this also comes off as perfectly unisex, as long as a woman likes woody scents. Because that’s what this is mainly, a beautiful woody scent. If someone associates woody with masculinity, then this will come off as a more masculine leaning scent. Personally, I have no issue wearing this and it does not threaten my femininity. I find this gorgeous, and think it would smell amazing on anyone.

I saw a 50ml bottle on an incredible deal (same price as a 10ml from an established retailer) and so went for a blind buy. No regrets. The description of ‘deconstructed (or reconstructed) sandalwood’ is apt: it doesn’t smell natural but the overall effect is convincing as a vision of sandalwood. I really like the vibe here. The coconut note is lovely (and not sweet) and I do get the peach briefly at times too. I think the ‘burning copper’ effect people talk about must be the cedar (or else I’m missing it) which is quite screechy at the opening but then gives way to a softer and more elegant vibe. Not a strong scent in its projection (I normally spray 2-3 times with fragrance but go 4-5 with RB) and longevity it about 6-7 hours for me, close to the skin for the last part. Very flexible scent (spring/summer/autumn, dressy/casual, day/night, any gender) and definitely office safe. Look elsewhere if you want something naturalistic or powerful.

I have been WAITING to find a peach fragrance I can wear. I didnt care how feminine it was I just love the smell of peaches and fresh ones are my favorite fruit. This opens with a juicy creamy peach. I honestly think the metalic scent from the copper note just intensifies the peach. I never thought about how they kind of smell similar until writing this review. On drydown I can still smell the peach but then it starts to lean into that creamy sandalwood and coconut and a touch of iris. If i focus on keeping my mind off of the peach, I can smell the woody notes but I prefer to smell the peach. I cant speak to longevity or sillage as I have only sprayed a single spray into my elbow right before bed but im definitely wearing the sample tomorrow and will be definitely purchasing a bottle. AI actually helped me pick this one out based on my taste an preferences although I never once mentioned liking peach.

I'm a huge fan of this house, and Debaser is my signature scent, if there is such a thing. Radio Bombay isn't a likely choice for me. You can take a look at my collection and see I usually prefer femme frags, often sweetened by fruity elements. But it's Texas--August. If you know Texas, it's not our best month. Outside, it's 100 degrees of oppressive stickiness, but the interior of every building is running AC units, full blast. It's a weird time. Additionally, I have some sensory fatigue as I've been testing the house of Amouage. Every scent I own seems too much somehow, but Radio Bombay is doing the trick--it's not annoying me in the heat, and it's performing well in my A/C blasting workplace. On my skin, this is cedar and sandalwood with hints of fresh coconut in the background. It's comforting, linear, medium projection with one spray, and very unisex on my skin. It's a good "rest" fragrance.

Very unique fragrance to my nose. Opens with a dusty/dry sandalwood and cedar note that is very pleasant and slightly masculine, salty coconut, powdery iris, slight metallic copper twang (yes it is definitely there to my nose), creamy ambroxan/ iso e super warmth, and a slightly grassy dry pine at the very base. I really enjoy this fragrance for its subtle complexity... I wish the sillage was just a bit stronger but you can fix that by over spraying this on both skin and clothing. This is a good fragrance for when you want to smell sexy but not overpowering. Longevity is moderate. Debaser is a better pick if you want a stronger fragrance with this DNA but much more prominent and green fig notes. I can see Radio Bombay being worn year round where as Debaser would be best for spring/summer. Both are great coconut fragrance’s that aren’t beachy or too feminine. Good for a signature scent.

i love radio bombay! i think it is an absolutely gorgeous, comforting scent. i first knew this fragrance from a somewhat fancy place that had radio bombay lotions in their restrooms. first impressions are definitely strong because now i can only think of this fragrance as a luxurious scent. the scent can be a bit harsh and sharp due to how woody it is at first though. there was also a very slight “new car” scent within the first 5 minutes after initial spray. however, once that went away — it turns into a softer, powdery, yet woody skin scent. i personally usually don’t like coconut scents but it is blended very well in radio bombay. the coconut wasn’t in your face but rather helps soften the fragrance. as someone who mainly uses feminine-leaning scents, i still very much enjoy this! i would say it is unisex or a bit masculine-leaning.

This was my first purchase (blind buy) from D.S. & Durga, and it didn’t disappoint. Radio Bombay opens with a light, airy warmth that projects beautifully. The first impression is a dry, woody scent with a distinct metallic copper note running through it. Beneath that, there’s a blend of fresh herbs, expertly balanced to add depth without overpowering. Hints of peppercorn flicker in the background, adding a subtle kick. As it dries down, the base notes take center stage. The sandalwood and coconut melt together into a creamy, almost hypnotic warmth - exotic, smooth, and deeply sensual. This was the part that drew me to the fragrance, and it absolutely delivers. I love the way this scent plays with unexpected accords, stepping away from the conventional. It’s made me eager to explore more from this house.

My signature everyday scent. Perfectly gender neutral, and although it's not exceptionally complex, there's something so addictive about it that I can't stop smelling myself. Opens with a whisper of copper, briefly freshly-made rice in a rice cooker, and dries down to a very clean sandalwood with a hint of sweetness. It's not a creamy sandalwood, but still comfortable even if dry, and not green at all. I don't get any coconut and I'm grateful. My only complaint is it's a skin scent unless I pile it on (too expensive to do that) and longevity is somewhat poor. It's not enough to keep me from wearing it, I'm just too in love with this one. It's still much stronger than Sana Jardin's Sandalwood Temple, though, which disappears on me in 5 minutes. Someday soon I'll splurge for the 100ml bottle.

This is so vivid in my memory. Growing up my grandparents used to host a lot of parties. Because of that they are obsessed with music. As a child I always see this huge wood cabinet like record player. It occupied literally a wall of the living room including the wood enclosed speakers and wooden cabinets for the records. Whenever you want to play it you had to open the huge wooden latch lid. This literally smells like opening that record players lid. I’m a fan of this house. I think I found my new favourite house because their style is so specific and artistic. I’m in love with their idea. Some ppl might say too contrived but it’s literally fragrance. It can be as shallow or as deep as you want it to be. And that’s art. Wearable art. 8.5/10

I tried this for the first time in Singapore & it reminds me of Singapore. It is a sandalwood fan in a cardboard box; a walk through Lucky Plaza where the incense mixes with the scent of plastic-wrapped goods and the heat of electronics. I get spice - pepper, but also candied nutmegs that they sell in the old shophouses.Then there’s a milky, biscuity note which carries with it the metallic tang of biscuit-tins (those shops full of giant biscuit tins - if you know, you know) I wore Radio Bombay to the Raffles, and to the top of Orchard Ion - it is so suited to the humidity and to the night: classic enough to drift along white marbled corridors and modern enough to trail through towers of glass.

Radio Bombay is creamy sandalwood goodness. Much more interesting than Santal 33 which stays linear on my skin and is recognizable on too many people — a scent that has lost its appeal because of its popularity. The first note that hits my nose is a perfect, fresh coconut, quickly followed by a top shelf sandalwood. All the other notes meld together to create an overall woody, exotic vibe. What I love most is that I found a sandalwood that works in all seasons. Performance works better if applied on clothing, becoming a persistent, low sillage scent so I can wear this even in summer heat. Radio Bombay, cute name and the best of the perfumes I’ve tested from D.S. & Durga.

Oh my goodness, I've been absolutely loving Radio Bombay lately! It's such a lovely and relaxing soundscape. The coconut and wood notes are absolutely enchanting, and they instantly transport me back to the charming streets of rural Jakarta. You know, where people sell you the freshest coconut water on the roadside? And there's this adorable little bamboo hut where you can just unwind and soak in the ambiance. It's like a slice of heaven! And guess what? It's not just a delightful fragrance; it's also a powerful aromatherapy experience. It helps me stay focused and creative while I edit my photos. It's like having a personal spa session right in my editing room!

It's Glossier You Doux on my skin! It is slightly more nature-y (as DS fragrances tend to be) with more photorealistic wood notes but upon first spray I thought I had grabbed the wrong bottle. It may just be how my skin chemistry reacts to both fragrances, it probably would smell more masculine on a man, but on me it's Glossier You Doux with lower longevity and sillage. After two-ish hours the dry down is very intimate and reverts to the classic DS and Durga DNA as I find for many of their fragrances, but still retains some of the grassy wood notes that set it apart from Glossier You Doux to the experienced nose. But if you have one, you do not need the other.

I can't help it, I'm addicted to Radio Bombay! I almost didn't get it based off other reviews, but I'm really glad I had confidence in my note preferences. Right off the bat, I get a bit of a metallic/electric/woody/coconut hit and then it really mellows out into a creamy, woody, musky, coconut scent on me. And when I say coconut, I'm not talking about a tropical or sun lotion coconut, this is like a coconut water - a fresh coconut. I get absolutely zero peach from this. My personal opinion is that it is perfectly unisex. For me, Radio Bombay is very easily a signature scent. It's a little different, not overpowering, and I want to wear it everyday.

I received this one yesterday from a scent subscription and love it. I'm not really getting anything but pure sandalwood, but it is a very warm, cozy version. It smells great on me and on my husband. It reminds me a LOT of Maison Louis Marie No.04 Bois de Balincourt. I have a travel spray of the No. 04, but when I run out of both that and my travel spray of this one, I'll probably buy a full bottle of one of them, but not both. They are very similar. This one may be a bit drier sandalwood? Update: I recently received a decant of Debaser, and it smells very similar to me. Love them both.