I love the two previous fragrances from the Addictive Arts collection that are still in production, so getting this new release was inevitable. The main reason for this blind purchase wasn't that I expected it to reach the same heights as
Jump Up and Kiss Me Ecstatic or
Jump Up and Kiss Me Hedonistic , but rather that I've been enjoying coffee and cocoa notes more and more lately. The idea of a jasmine fragrance built around the Addictive Fusion accord (Opium, Absinthe Wormwood, and Cocoa Leaf), combined with those two darker gourmand notes, sounded incredibly appealing.
"The AddictiveFusion™ accord serves as the structural heart of every fragrance in the Addictive Arts collection (currently nine fragrances, although
A Separate Reality Manic and
Chasing the Dragon Euphoric don't list Absinthe Wormwood among their notes). According to Clive Christian, the accord is created using Pioneering Perfume Technology (PPT), which employs headspace technology to capture the molecular profile of living materials. This allows the house to recreate complex, illicit-inspired accords through a proprietary process that cannot legally or physically be replicated by other perfume houses."
From the very first spray, I immediately recognize Out of the Blue as part of this distinctive Clive Christian collection. Within the first hour, however, I also realize that it is noticeably simpler than its predecessors. I find myself reaching for it again and again - not because I'm struggling to understand it, but because I want to make sure my initial impression is correct. At first, I simply didn't want to believe what I was smelling.
All the notes emerge almost simultaneously upon spraying rather than unfold gradually or relying first solely on its opening. It actually takes some time before the coffee fully develops and its dark, roasted aroma begins to emerge. For a brief moment, it smells like freshly roasted coffee beans before blending seamlessly into the cocoa listed in the base notes. So in reality, the cocoa is present almost from the beginning. As the coffee slowly retreats, the cocoa lingers much longer, remaining dark yet airy, like a fine layer of cocoa powder dusted over an otherwise creamy texture.
This is where
Strange Heavens Out of the Blue differs most from Hedonistic and Ecstatic. While those fragrances certainly reveal recognizable individual notes, their compositions are extraordinarily intricate, rich, and intoxicating. Out of the Blue is comparatively more straightforward. It lacks some of the remarkable depth that made its predecessors feel so captivating. I still can't decide whether that's ultimately a strength or a weakness. On one hand, its relative simplicity makes it much easier to wear. It doesn't demand a particular mood or occasion, and I can reach for it without giving much thought to what I'm wearing. On the other hand, I keep waiting for a hidden dimension or an unexpected revelation that never quite arrives.
Alongside the coffee and cocoa, Out of the Blue is primarily a jasmine fragrance infused with the Addictive Fusion accord. Orange blossom never becomes particularly prominent. Jasmine is also present in Hedonistic, but there it remains buried beneath the fragrance's far more multidimensional composition. Here, it takes center stage. The Smoke Fusion listed in the base never translates into any distinct smokiness on my skin, and the "vanilla caramel" accord also remains surprisingly subdued. Personally, I had hoped it would contribute an irresistibly seductive sweetness that would add another layer of interest to the composition.
I also wouldn't classify Out of the Blue as a true gourmand. To my nose, it's a floral fragrance with gourmand nuances rather than something overtly edible or dessert-like. Nevertheless, it feels genuinely original. I can't think of another high-quality fragrance that combines jasmine with dark roasted coffee and cocoa in quite this way. I love for example
Intoxicated but it's not floral at all.
One thing that genuinely surprises me is how few women seem to wear it. Neither
Jump Up and Kiss Me Hedonistic nor
Strange Heavens Out of the Blue strikes me as particularly masculine or feminine, and I'd comfortably recommend both to anyone.
Jump Up and Kiss Me Ecstatic is equally unisex, although its user base appears to be much more evenly divided.
Performance is very good. Out of the Blue easily lasts through a full workday, although its projection is noticeably softer than Ecstatic and somewhat quieter than Hedonistic. Given its dark, rich character, many people consider it strictly an autumn or winter fragrance. Personally, I disagree. While I wouldn't choose it on the hottest summer afternoon, I find it perfectly comfortable - and even beautiful - on cooler summer evenings.
Out of the Blue ultimately feels like the most approachable fragrance in the current Addictive Arts lineup, but also the least ambitious. It retains the unmistakable DNA of the collection through its Addictive Fusion accord, yet strips away much of the complexity and almost hallucinatory richness that make Hedonistic and Ecstatic so compelling. Whether that's a compromise or an advantage depends entirely on what you're looking for. If you expect another densely layered masterpiece, this may leave you wanting more. If, however, you've admired the collection but found its earlier creations too demanding for everyday wear, Out of the Blue offers a more relaxed interpretation without losing its distinctive identity. It may not be the fragrance that redefines the collection, but it succeeds in broadening its appeal.
Thank you for reading, I hope you liked my review and it was helpful.
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Top Notes 
Aniseed
Coffee
Heart Notes 
Orange blossom
Addictive Fusion
Jasmine
Base Notes 
Vanilla caramel
Cocoa absolute
Smoke Fusion
Merlotsupern
Tsukira
PetarMolnar
NicheOnly
Holscentbar
