The 1980s called and they want their fragrances back, but this time they can’t have them…mostly because we don’t have a DeLorean. I’m talking about the quintessential band of the 80s, Duran Duran and their new collab with Xerjoff to bring you NeoRio and Black Moonlight – two fragrances that I’ve been testing and have grown to really like!
Black Moonlight
Let’s start with my least favorite of the bunch, Black Moonlight. Black Moonlight is the name of their second single off of their comeback album released in 2023 called Danse Macabre. I’m currently listening to the song as I type this and it’s definitely 80s-forward. I wouldn’t say that the song is a direct reflection of the fragrance or the notes, I’m not that type of reviewer, but right off the first rip it’s pretty good and the song is worth a listen. Full disclosure, I’m an 80s guy, not by choice, but just by where my birth year landed. Not a total fan of all things 80s music and, to be fair, Duran Duran wasn’t on any mixtape I had floating around. Sorry, don’t @ me.
Now, according to the notes this fragrance is best suited for colder days in the fall and winter, but I really think in the right situation and right timing you could easily wear this during a date night or somewhere outdoors. Do I recommend this for an office situation in the dead of summer? Absolutely not. You’d get hose again.
In the top layer there’s cardamom, mandarin, bergamot, and saffron. In the mid there’s myrrh, jasmine sambac, ylang-ylang, and lavender. Lastly in the dry down there’s tolu balsam, labdanum, tonka bean and patchouli. Again, all the notes of a bomb cold weather fragrance. However, note the citrus and floral notes. These lend the fragrance less “in your face” and a bit smoother and more rounded out than you’d expect. It’s not clawingly deep and dark but also not overly bright and radiant for warmer seasons. It’s almost a perfect balance.
Now, keep in mind, some of these notes won’t be for everyone. The Myrrh is very upfront in this fragrance and is giving off Tom Ford Myrrhe Mystere vibes. The patchouli I don’t really get in this fragrance but in that base it’s mostly the myrrh, balsam, and tonka bean.
While this is technically a unisex fragrance, I’d say this leans more on the manly side of the fence and I really think Xerjoff did a nice job on this one. If you decided to buy the full-bottle experience after testing, the unboxing experience is one of a kind. As always, their presentation is top-tier with the coffin-style box, excessive padding and the exquisite bottle up-front and center. Craftsmanship at its best!
Overall, I’d give Black Moonlight a 7.5/10. Solid fragrance and definitely worth a try!
NeoRio
NeoRio is named after the band’s hit single “Rio” and is definitely the better of the two in my opinion. It’s also a unisex fragrance and I’d definitely say this is an easier wear for both men and women for sure. This fragrance is more complex and inviting than Black Moonlight and really pushes the boundaries from the look of the bottle to the scent profile through and through.
At the top we have rum, fig, labdanum, and elemi (form of a balsam, more piney in scent). In the mid we have maple sap (first time I’ve seen this!), saffron, and rose oil. Down below we have tonka bean, Peru balsam, and patchouli.
Now, being a patchouli guy, I don’t notice patchouli at all in either fragrance. Not that this is a bad thing, but just an observation. The opening on NeoRio is sweet and almost borderline fresh and spicy at the same time. The fragrance quickly moves into almost pine tree territory but still keeps that fig sweetness at the helm.
The bottle of this one is what makes me smile every time I see them. The bottle shape is the unmistakable Xerjoff signature style, but the colors are 100% 1980s vibes and I’m here for them. Orange, yellow, green, and pink are the colors that adorn these bottles, and they look exactly like a highlighter you would have had in your Trapper Keeper, maybe the parachute pants you wore or even the jewelry you covered yourself in. If you are an 80s baby, you have to check out the full bottle after trying your sample right here. I don’t recommend buying all of them – they don’t smell different and that wouldn’t be a wise decision for your wallet.
I really like this one. Smooth, sweet and a bit woody. Probably not the best fragrance for warmer temperatures but on a spring night you could definitely pull this off. Fall and winter will be the number one spot for these, and I can’t wait to add it to my cold weather selection on my dresser!
NeoRio I’d give a 9.2 all day. Can’t recommend this one enough.
Final Thoughts
This battle wasn’t bloody, I didn’t have to bring any tarp out and set it down in my bedroom when I tried these out, but I will say that while there was a clear winner, it wasn’t a knockout. Both fragrances battled strong and have that warrior-heart mentality, but NeoRio snuck in with a TKO at the end. Both of these are beautiful niche fragrances from the house of Xerjoff and could be in the running for fragrance of the year when I do my end of the year final review this winter. You can pick up your sample of NeoRio here and your Black Moonlight sample right here. Thanks for taking the time to read this review and as always, I’ll catch you in the next one!
