Inhaler Brilliantly Navigate Growing Pains in Genre-Bending Album 'Open Wide'
Photo: Lewis Evans
The intoxicating Irish rock band has done it again. Inhaler just released their third album Open Wide, proving not only that their future is wide open but also that they have found their sound.
After two remarkable albums, it wouldn’t be shocking to watch any band hit a routine slump. Even for the best of bands, somewhere after the first few albums, there’s one that just can’t evoke what the band is capable of. Open Wide does just the opposite. Painting a rugged, mesmerizing picture of the ups and downs of early adulthood, Inhaler breaks through the barriers of rigid genre restrictions while navigating growing pains.
Though many would categorize the band’s past two projects as indie, Inhaler felt trapped in the genre, especially one with such saturation nowadays. In Open Wide, they combine their indie roots with elements of classic rock and pop. Jovial keyboard riffs introduce the album, and the first track, “Eddie In The Darkness,” quickly layered with a blazing guitar sound, supports the dance-rock style. Immediately the band’s lead singer, Elijah Hewson opens with a perfect rock roughness reminiscent of his dad’s legendary voice and heart. Bono is in his bones. The true rock quality of Hewson’s voice will never be fully lost in the band’s exploration of other genres.
The lead single, “Your House,” queued fans into this newfound genre fusion. As track three on the album, this satisfying tune feels like the ethos of the entire album. It quickly breaks into a gospel-like exclamation, serving as a fiery backdrop to the tiresome story of belonging to someone toxic. “The verse is blasé, but the chorus feels spiritual. I love that contrast,” Hewson shared. “Thеre ain't sharp enough knife / To cut me out of your life / I'm going to your house tonight,” they sing as the chorus carries them through. The lyrics and production alike have a dizzying effect. Listening to this track feels as if you are in the song—your heart, soul, and body feel it deeply as a vivid world builds around you.
Each song is anthemic, bringing in those gospel-style vocal layers time and time again throughout the tracklist. Songs like “A Question Of You” and “Open Wide” use the vocal layers to create a spellbinding quality while songs like “Even Though” and “Still Young” rely on the layering of the production. Thanks to the incredible Kid Harpoon, the sole producer on Open Wide, Inhaler was able to experiment with unique production elements that they didn’t explore on their past two albums. Kid Harpoon has produced award-winning projects like Harry’s House and a number of notable songs from artists like Maggie Rogers, Shawn Mendes, and King Princess. Though these may bear no real sonic resemblance to Open Wide, Kid Harpoon’s eye for innovation is clear.
By centering sensational production, this album serves as a moment of catharsis not only for Inhaler but also for fans old and new alike. With all the danceable pop qualities, every song is meant to be played live, meant for fans to experience the release of screaming the lyrics alongside the band.
Listen to Open Wide below:
