The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
When Soul Gets High by Emir takes its name from an audacious premise: the soul reaches higher when it releases restraint. The fragrance commits to that tension fully, building around an idea of going past comfortable into something demanding. It explores how elevation can come through excess, how letting go of restraint opens pathways to something more intense. The name itself provokes thought about what it means to seek higher ground through unbridled experience.
What makes this composition interesting is the way the honey and tobacco don't just coexist, they argue. The cherry adds a fleeting fruitiness that disappears within the first twenty minutes, leaving space for the frankincense and labdanum to take over. The cardamom and nutmeg keep the heart from becoming too heavy, adding fresh spice that lifts rather than weighs. It's a fragrance that refuses to stay in one place.
The evolution
The opening hits sticky-sweet, almost cloying honey. Cherry and tobacco join within minutes, creating a fruit-tobacco blend that reads like a candied cigarette. Twenty minutes in, the cherry fades and the frankincense announces itself, that slightly medicinal, resinous snap that divides wearers. The labdanum and cedar deepen the composition into something darker, earthier. By the third hour, you're in the warm amber-vanilla drydown. Tonka and benzoin create a creamy, slightly powdery base that stays intimate and close. The scent lingers on fabric long after application, with performance varying across different skin types.
Cultural impact
Marketed as an affordable alternative to Kilian Back to Black, Aphrodisiac, this fragrance has developed a polarizing reputation. Wearers either find the honey-tobacco intensity addictive or too synthetic. Its exceptional longevity and value proposition have made it notable among those seeking beast-mode projection without the niche price tag. The fragrance invites strong opinions, dividing enthusiasts who appreciate its bold character from those who find its intensity overwhelming.
