Cut grass, man. When it comes to smells, is there anything better than cut grass? Whenever I find myself walking down the street, eyes downcast and shoulders bunched up in defence against the vagaries and stresses of this shi*ty world, the smell of cut grass can bring me out of the funk quicker than almost anything else. Like a benevolent thunderclap slicing across my consciousness, the smell of cut grass can interrupt even the most immersive of negative trances. There’s something about that smell. I know it’s a common feeling for a lot of people, but it transports me instantly to childhood summers. I smell it, and my senses are flooded with memories of hazy sunshine and horizons free of care. Damn bast*rd smell! Reminding me that life used to be good—what does it think it’s playing at?! I bring this up because it was the first thing that came to mind—though a lit match was also a strong contender—when I saw Reddit asks the question: ‘What’s the absolute best smell in the world to you?’ You can check out the full thread here, but below are some highlights: