The indie quartet from Dublin, Inhaler, have worked hard over the last few years to make a name for themselves in what is becoming an oversaturated genre. In the run-up to the release of their third album Open Wide, the band has given fans a teaser as to what to expect from the LP with four very different singles. Cuts & Bruises, the group’s sophomore album, featured many hard-hitting tracks that kept listeners on their toes and made sure it left a mark long after it had finished. However, Open Wide sees Inhaler taking a much more subdued approach to their music.
The LP opens with ‘Eddie In The Darkness’, a track that is reminiscent of early 2010s indie tunes. The simple and repetitive bassline and light piano instrumental help to ease the listener into the album unlike the explosive ‘Just To Keep You Satisfied’ that opened their last album. The chorus allows guitarist Josh Jenkinson to show off his captivating guitar riffs and build excitement for the rest of the album.
Following on from this different but welcomed introduction to the album, listeners are treated to three singles from the LP. ‘Billy (Yeah Yeah Yeah)’ was released only two days before the rest of the album but is an instant earworm. The repetition of the title and dreamy instrumental allows the track to build before it jumps into its groovy chorus. Frontman Elijah Hewson drags each of his lines out with a beautiful ease making ‘Billy (Yeah Yeah Yeah)’ calming to listen to.
‘Your House’ is another track that highlights Hewson’s diverse vocals. Hewson sings with an almost nonchalance, which works in direct contrast to the obsessive lyrics: “Saying, oh-oh love / There ain’t a sharp enough knife / To cut me out of your life / I’m going to your house tonight’. Hewson’s voice is paired with the powerful House Gospel Choir, which is a wonderful addition to the track. ‘Your House’ was a great way to kick off the promotion of Open Wide with it showcasing something different from the band.
‘A Question Of You’ is undoubtedly one of the most fun tracks on the album. The twangy guitar riff that is heard throughout the song alongside the upbeat guitar solo that follows the choruses is just incredibly addictive. The more poppy sound will have listeners tapping their feet along to the beat. Hewson’s vocals once again are backed by the gospel choir, who help propel the song forward with an almost call-and-response act.
The title track has to be the biggest curveball on the album. ‘Open Wide’ starts with a simple but disarming bassline and the range of light synths scattered throughout make the song sound ethereal. The stripped-back chorus makes listeners feel like they are in a liminal space with the beautiful harmonies enhancing Hewson’s vocals.
‘All I Got Is You’ and ‘The Charms’ have an almost Wallows-esque sound. The retro synths and twangy guitar in ‘All I Got Is You’ give the track a preppy energy that is impossible not to dance along to. ‘The Charms’ takes on a slightly more subdued approach to this retro beat and matches the desperation depicted in the lyrics. The lines “And I wanna fall into your arms, your arms / Should I stay for too long / That’s when I fall into your arms / Your arms (Want you always)” highlight a love that seems to have fully absorbed the protagonist.
One of the standout tracks of the LP, ‘X-Ray’, sounds like it has been pulled straight from the 1960s or 70s. The guitar riff in the introduction wouldn’t sound too out of place on a Jimi Hendrix record. In an interview with Apple Music, drummer Ryan McMahon mentioned how the track came from a lot of ideas being blended together. He said: “It was kind of like Frankenstein. We had to chop and stitch stuff together and see what worked. It feels quite experimental within the record.” What the audience gets out of this experiment is a great track with many layers to peel back with each listen.
For fans of Cuts & Bruises, the final track on the album, ‘Little Things’, will definitely be a firm favourite. The song starts with a distorted radio sound before listeners are caught off-guard by a loud and incessant guitar riff. Bassist Robert Keating stands out here with his jaunty bassline that takes centre stage throughout the track. ‘Little Things’ acts as a volatile way to finish the album and will leave listeners reaching for the replay button.
For a band that is usually very in your face with their music, Open Wide feels like a well-thought-out and cohesive album. There are a few moments of chaos in the LP that will appeal to old fans with some lighter and more experimental tracks that highlight Inhaler’s growth as a band. With a lengthy tour ahead of them, it will be interesting to see how the tracks translate in terms of their live performances.
Words by Amy Britton
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