Slow Explosions

An impressive work of art from the house of Imaginary Authors, I could confidently say I was blown away by this one. It seems everyone has a completely different description of the profile and what it smells like to them, and I'd say that's a testament to how unique and well-made this fragrance is. Deep, rich, magical, warm, and emotionally evocative, this is truly a stunner from start to finish. Upon smelling this, my mind immediately goes to watching fireworks at my neighbor's place as a kid, spending time with friends and family on the 4th of July. The way the deep yet refined leather accord is made is absolutely beautiful. It doesn't really smell all that much like real leather, which is a good thing in my opinion, but it's incredibly smooth and smelling of a biker jacket like many other leather accords. At the top of the fragrance is a warm, spiced fruitiness which is made of apple and something else that to my nose smells like cherry. To round it all out there is a subtle underlying note of something smokey and sulfur-like which really brings everything together and truly aligns with the imagery of fireworks. Never thought I would like that in a fragrance as much as I do with this. Performance is great, projects and last crazy well. Like many Imaginary Authors fragrances, I would say this is completely unisex and could be worn by both genders, but it's still niche enough that it would be a difficult wear for many. I want an introduction to wearing more unconventional fragrances, and I'm strongly considering choosing this and picking up a full bottle when fall comes around. I honestly think you could totally wear this on summer nights as well. Overall a fantastic and creative take on a leather fragrance. Beautiful work, definitely sample this one if you haven't as it's 100% worth experiencing.

Imaginary Authors Slow Explosions is a continuation of the story begun by An Air of Despair, a saffron bomb limited edition summer fragrance launched in 2015. Slow Explosions features the same signature note of saffron and adds another signature note, one I've longed to see used in this house, of rose. However, apart from the saffron and rose stars there are a handful of other supporting notes that stand out on their own and contribute to a rather unique mix. Specifically, apple comes out a lot on my skin, and the perfumer speaks to this specifically in an interview. I also get a little leather and benzoin. So the mix overall is unusual but pleasantly-blended, an unexpected treat coming mainly from the versatility of the saffron. Performance is good,not as much of a beast as Cape Heartache, Memoirs of a Trespasser, or A City on Fire but still good for an EDP. I recommend watching the YouTube video on Looking Feeling Smelling Great with the perfumer, Josh Meyer, for more insight. Not the very best of the house (my favorites are still Cape Heartache and Every Storm a Serenade) but this is perhaps his most unique and surely one I'll be buying a full bottle of at some point. 8 out of 10

What a journey! The opening is very distinct and I suspect very polarizing. Imagine if you will an incredibly realistic sun-warmed leather sitting right next to a ton of saffron, and a wooden barrel of half-fermented apples. It’s a cacophony of different smells that aren’t blended, one sniff and I get the leather. The next sniff, saffron. After that, more leather. It’s fascinating, but I really dig how much it seems to change with each moment. It settles down into something much more floral and rosy, the leather keeps it interesting. I reminds me somewhat of Rose Anonyme from Atelier, only a little bit less “blended” — which IMO is an improvement, since it helps tone down the potpourri dry-down vibes of the later. The push and pull between the different discordant notes add a lot of vibrance to the scent. It reminds me of late nights at country fairs, I think this would be a better evening fragrance than day fragrance. This is definitely a fragrance that I don’t think would work for everyone, it’s quirky and has a lot going on. It’s got a considerable amount of staying power and silage that could make it overwhelming if over-applied.

2ml sample. Very nice, in the running for the best composed from the house from what I've sampled so far. Sweet apple rose for the nose, touch of leather and some warmth from the benzoin that hints at vanilla. I have a few fragrances this reminds me of, the apple rose in promise from Frederic malle, in slow explosions the rose is more pronounced. Also reminded of the leather/oud rose combo in musk oud by Kilian. Musk oud lacks sweetness from the apple. But this is very similar to an original from Alexandria Fragrances , Pure Bliss. Pure bliss has a subtle oud and dries down with some incense, slow explosions is giving almost an oud vibe with the saffron and leather combo then dries down with a warm hint of vanilla. It's a combination of notes that can be found in many middle eastern fragrances, that being said slow explosions is blended so very nicely, the notes all work perfectly and balanced so well. Longevity is excellent, projection is excellent, if I didn't have a few fragrances with similar scent profiles I'd probably order a bottle of this right away. Although still going on my want list.

This is mainly apple pie with a Middle Eastern twist. The saffron and rose season the apple and the warm benzoin bakes them all together, sinking the saffron and rose deep into the warmed apple. The leather note reigns in the otherwise gourmand baked apple and provides a sense of maturity. The leather in this is spicy, dry, and unfinished. The dry quality in this is so sharp as to be effervescent. It’s a quality one might be familiar with in regards to a salt note although this is not salty. The effervescent quality in this is very unusual in it’s surroundings but also very appealing. It’s really lifts this fragrance. This is a rich, warm, and strong fragrance but it’s not so heavy as to be stifling. You can really move around in this. This is obviously a cold weather scent. I like it best around late Autumn until Christmas. The delicious baked apple aroma and the dry effervescence (evocative of champagne) are very festive. It’s the perfect option for a holiday get together if you want to get a little quirky.

Going through the sample set of Imaginery Authors. This was the first one I tried and what a surprise, the true love of first sniff. This is a spicy rose, with woods and fruity, with a soft leather that at first it would be the first thing you smell and then it will soft down to a supportive note, the main star in the fragrance is the rose, so beautiful an addictive. While the time pass you sense how the rose stars to die from its young stage at the opening to the faint aroma at the dry down. The opening may not impress you, but just wait, be patient, let the leather give birth to the rose and the spices. Imaginery Authors fragrances the mostly faint fast but in this case this one has stayed on my skin for a while and so worth it, so I cloud see the development of the fragrance. Good thing about the linear design of the olfactory notes, you will sense all of then whiting seconds of the passed you smelled. My favorite one from the set, definitely buying a full bottle of this

This perfume wasn't what I expected but I loved it anyway. At first spray, the apple, leather and rose are apparent. It's leathery, a bit smoky, as well as tart and boozy in a way that borders on smelling like wine. The apple is green and sour, the rose is heady, and the leather gives it a rustic feel. It reminded me of walking to church in the summer by this one tree that would drop its fruit all over the road. The fruit would be smashed and scattered everywhere, left to rot and ferment under the hot sun. It remains this way for most of the wear, with the leather and apple notes fading as the wear progresses though the rose remains steady. I couldn't pick up on any saffron in this, nor any cashmeran. This lasted on my skin for a little less than eight hours. Overall, this is a beautiful and nostalgic fragrance to me. Pretty linear but what it lacks in evolution it makes up for with sensation.

Really nice and unique fragrance. Smells oddly similar to a cherry whiskey or rum (can't remember which) that my Dad always had on special occasions. Lots of fruity accords mix together and compliment each other. When I first sprayed this on myself, I was somewhat disgusted (it smelled vaguely like toilet cleaner) but that changed so fast and it hit me, like WOW this smells nice. In terms of performance, it performs better than the other I.A fragrances that I have tried so far, lasting around 5-6 hours. There were moments during that period of time that I thought it had wore off, but the burst of flavour would hit again so strongly, much like an "explosion". Would definitely wear it during the winter and can ESPECIALLY imagine wearing it in some kind of Christmas park or festival of some kind, while sipping mulled wine, wrapped in a fur coat. I would purchase a bottle of this.

Very interesting, I like. I adore Imaginary Authors fragrances, they’re all unlike any of my other perfumes and I own probably 1000 by now, if u count all my decants as well as full size bottles. This one is definitely full bottle worthy. But to be worn around the house for myself. As I don’t think anyone else would appreciate it’s uniqueness. I love unique or what others call hard to wear scents. Im not good at describing the notes, but I’ll try. I do get the leather at first(I like a good leather frag) then the saffron and I can smell the apple but I don’t get any rose. Still, I like this one very much. But I like or love all that IA has to offer. Edit: I know this one starts out weird but give it a chance, after a few minutes it turns so beautiful. This is Indie perfumery at its finest. This is not for ppl who love cheap fruity floral designer perfumes.

This perfume is absolute dynamite, a beautifully intoxicating creation with a genuine atmospheric vibe and effortless unisex appeal. You immediately get the tart green apple, the vivid saffron, the lush rose and the fine leather all dancing together in slow motion. There’s a pulsing quality here, like a heartbeat echoing under twilight fireworks. I adore it. It comes alive in cooler temps and really flourishes when it’s crisp outside, heat will flatten it, so save it for autumn or winter evenings. It gives me the feeling of wandering through a theme park on a cool fall night, fireworks blooming above and the air thick with the scent of cotton candy and mystery. Everywhere I turn, there’s movement, laughter, and a kind of effortless beauty, faces lit by the lights, hair catching the wind and carrying sweetness through the air. 10/10.

This is one of my favorite samples I've ever tried, it's completely unique. The atomizer broke and I had to crack the lid open without breaking the vial (I would not go to that effort unless I really loved it). It manages to capture several distinct scents as one cohesive profile, extremely difficult to do well. It comes across like a street market, right in the middle of fruit, spice, and floral vendors, maybe leather goods a little further down the street. But there is a distant, smoky, almost cordite note hiding in the background as well, softened considerably by the apple and saffron. I have never gotten a compliment on this, I don't think it has broad appeal. I would recommend it for maybe a third or fifth date, when you want to find out if you like the same things, or if they really like you, even when you're a little strange.

Lovely, lightly animalic leather with a *hint* of what I assume is saffron when I sniff my wrist. This projects a dry, peppery leather, and the leather is very realistic. It immediately reminded me of unboxing a new pair of leather boots. It's very sexy, in an androgynous, rides-a-vintage-motorcycle way. I'm even getting a hint of cedar- it's not quite smoky, but it almost is. Hard to describe. If I were standing in the woods, hugging someone wearing a leather jacket, burying my nose in their neck, getting the barest hint of their smoky floral cologne, I bet this is what I'd smell. Well blended. Like a modern niche Shalimar for men (but it's definitely unisex). This is my first IA sample, and I'm very happy with it. Sillage isn't huge and intrusive.

This is my favorite perfume right now, I got a sample, thought it was weird, but started craving this scent. It made me realize I quite like leather in fragrances, I already knew I loved roses, and the apple just turns this fragrance a bit more fun! On my skin, it opens strong and almost plasticky (guess it is saffron?), then turns into this photorealistic juicy tart apple, followed by some fresh roses and the leather jacket you wear to feel gorgeous, and it lingers as a slightly sweet apple and smokey leather. It performs fantastically well on me, with more than 12 hours on the skin and sometimes days on clothes. It is a love-or hate one for people who hug me though, but those who like it are really intrigued which is fun!

I adore this perfume. The artwork, the bottle, but most of all, the memories that it brings back for me personally. Does no one else pick up a gunpowder accord? Slow Explosions for me is the smell of time spent with my dad in his garage. I used to love to help fill shotgun shells for his next hunting endeavor. The leather sharpening strop on the workbench is nearby. I smell the green apple from my shampoo. There are other notes here, the benzoin and cashmeran are representative of the warm fuzzies I get from the memories. Thank you for this perfume and others (Decisions, Decisions is another one that brings back beloved memories of my dad.) They may not be for everyone, but those they are for, appreciate them a great deal.

Slow Explosions masterfully captures the concept of push/pull. Off the top, a blast of alcohol (push); if you bartended, you know this smell all too well. A few minutes later, a pleasant roundness brings you in (pull), only to be greeted by confident spice (possibly push?) that will soften into leather (pull). Unless you hate leather (push), and so on and so forth. It's a magical fragrance that should be shared with either close friends or complete strangers; this stuff is not something for the interim. Best for: 1. First day in a new city; one you're excited to learn. 2. Last day in an old city; one you look forward to forgetting.

WOW. This is hands down of the most unique scents I've ever smelled and I am IN LOVE. The regality of this scent is amazing. Quite like the name implies, the leather and cashmeran ride you the whole way through with explosions of saffron and apple hitting your nose. This is a scent to make a statement. When you walk into a room everyone will turn to look after smelling this. This scent is and was meant to be a talking point. Because of this though you will have some who turn away, not liking the mix of apple, saffron, and rose. Next time you want to have your main character moment, wear this, people will notice.

This is a "love it or hate it" scent and I LOVE it. You have to REALLY enjoy saffron to like this scent, and I do. It is a spice bomb that punches you in the face initially, but if you can get past that it is a very unique, quirky, fun scent. I love it for hot summer days, it makes me think of a middle eastern marketplace. I also love it for fall. I feel like it's too sunny and "hot" for a winter scent on me. It does have a bit of a "hot dude who is a little funky with it" vibe to it, so if that isn't your thing this scent may not be for you.

One of the best uses of rose I've smelled so far. (I usually dislike rose scents). The apple in this allows the rose in the opening to lean on it and smell like a truely fresh picked rose. Not powdery or overly floral. Just perfect. Aside from that the leather and the saffron in the drydown make this such a smooth scent to wear in the fall or winter. Definitely one of the most wearable scents by IA. Scent profile: 10/10 Longevity: 6-8 hours Sillage: Strong for the first 30mins. Moderate until about 3hrs in on me.

I love this fragrance, though it’s clearly pretty divisive! I think it’s a perfectly unisex spicy leather scent with some sweetness from the apple and rose. The apple and rose are a bit too sweet, like the might be rotting but aren’t there yet. Those notes fade away and the scent becomes slightly spicy and balsamic around a clean leather accord. Smells like a fancy tourist shop with some aromatic products and leather. Not for hot weather or for the office, but great cool weather scent for nicer occasions.

Sweet but spicy; like how a pepper might taste to someone who's desensitized to capsaicin. There's something bothersome in the middle of the fragrance that's keeping me from getting a full bottle (perhaps the leather?). Not to mention, it dries down really powdery on me. I've been mixing this with A City on Fire, inspired by the idea that perhaps the two fragrances whose imagery is of fire/explosions would work well together; and they do! One of my favorite *wearable* fragrances I've tried from IA.