REVIEW: Inhaler - ‘Open Wide’ Album Review

If you’ve been following along the journey of Dublin-bred group Inhaler for the past few years, then you would know that they have evidently been on a steady rise to rock & roll notoriety. The band’s debut record from 2021, It Won’t Always Be Like This, was an amalgamation of years-old demos as well as some newer experimental tracks as the group navigated their indie rock sound. Bandmates Eli Hewson, Robert Keating, Ryan McMahon and Josh Jenkinson created the group while still in school together so naturally maturing their sound was inevitable as they continue to grow as a band. Thus led to the highly anticipated Sophomore album a few years later, Cuts & Bruises. This era eventually led them to incredible opportunities including opening for massive acts like Harry Styles & Arctic Monkeys– welcoming new Inhaler fans into the mix.

Earlier this month, Inhaler released their third full-length, Open Wide, via Geffen Records. Throughout their Fall 2024 tour, the band teased unreleased songs from the album within their setlist including the leading single, “Your House,” that was dropped in October. “Your House” was an ambitious one to drop first considering it was so different from anything they’ve released prior. Fuzzy rhythmic synths & a glorious choir to join every chorus, indicated the band’s intention to set this era apart from anything previously released & ensure fans they’re in it for the long run– “there ain’t a sharp enough knife to cut me out of your life.”

Two standout tracks happened to also be released as singles leading up to the full release, “A Question Of You” & “Billy (Yeah Yeah Yeah).” Both have an addictive quality to them where it’s impossible to stay still while listening. “A Question Of You” is a combination of jolly piano chords & striking guitar riffs that wonderfully complement the heavenly choir that welcomes each chorus to this love song. The music video takes a tongue-in-cheek approach to displaying that love as it features the bassist’s brother, James Keating, as the protagonist attempting to get a ring back from a pawn shop until chaos ensues. “Billy,” named after another Keating brother, is a track based on overthinking but sonically displays this dilemma with an irresistible hook & a jiving chorus.

Introducing the producer Kid Harpoon onto their project (who has also worked on the bulk of Harry Styles’ songs & several other acclaimed pop artists) allowed them to explore new territory of incorporating fresh pop elements into their guitar-driven tracks. This influence is prevalent in certain tracks such as “All I Got Is You” & “Concrete,” which is certainly not a bad thing. Musically, they have spoken about being inspired by many artists of the 70 & 80s including T.Rex & Depeche Mode which explains the range of melodic expressions. Tracks like “X-Ray” will take you back to that era as it emulates a dive bar jukebox jam with a chorus you’re compelled to shout along to: “Feels like heaven / Even if there’s not one / I will chain myself to your soul.”

Photo by Lewis Evans

Title-track, “Open Wide,” was initially just a demo from 2021, but was revisited & refurbished into an uplifting cinematic atmosphere that made such an impression it needed to represent the whole project. Set smack-dab in the middle of the record, it beautifully balances out the album’s eclectic soundscape.

“The reason why we called the album ‘Open Wide’ is because we’re looking for a new perspective on our music,” states Hewson. “With this album, we’re closer to what we’ve always envisioned,” he adds. “It feels like we’ve always been trying to make this record.”

First listen of any record should always be in chronological order as it’s very intentional where the artist places them; Open Wide is no different. Listeners are taken on a tantalizing journey from start to finish. Inhaler seems to have cracked the code for an impressionable & distinctive pop rock tracks while establishing themselves as evolved songwriters. We are thrilled to see where this era takes them.

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