Criminal Elements.

The house, in one read

Criminal Elements announces itself with a tagline that leaves no room for ambiguity: dark, instinctive, unapologetic. The catalogue, composed entirely by perfumer Corey Newcombe, reads like a deliberate rejection of safe, crowd-pleasing perfumery — leathers, resins, smoke and shadow dominate the lineup.

Newcombe's range spans almost a decade, from the resinous incense depth of Hearth (2015) through to the leather soliflore territory of Hansel (2024), suggesting a house that refines rather than reinvents — each release pushing further into confident, uncompromising territory.

With names like Queer and Criminal Elements itself, the house wears its outsider identity openly. This is perfumery for people who find mainstream fragrance insufferably polite.

“Best for buyers who find most perfume too well-behaved — Criminal Elements rewards those who want leather, resin and smoke worn with conviction.