Inhaler - Cuts & Bruises
The Irish four-piece release their sophomore album, a record full of stadium-ready, high energy anthems.
Does the second album syndrome really exist anymore? It feels like most artists these days have more than just a few debut album tricks up their sleeves. The likes of Sam Fender, Phoebe Bridgers and Sea Girls have all spread their wings and took off on their respective second records, and thankfully Inhaler have done the same.
Whilst their debut ‘It Won’t Always Be Like This’ opened the doors ‘Cuts & Bruises’ walks through them, takes a look around and decides it is going to stick around for awhile. It is an album with deeper meaning, a record about growing up and facing the harsh realities of the world we live in. It also looks deeper into what makes the band tick.
Following a prolonged period of touring, the record began to take shape over Christmas 2021 in The Nunnery, their rehearsal space in hometown Dublin, with the four band members – vocalist and guitarist Elijah Hewson, bassist Robert Keating, guitarist Josh Jenkinson and drummer Ryan McMahon – writing and rehearsing a clutch of new songs.
Opening track ‘Just To Keep You Satisfied’ gives a solid indication to what the album will contain, solid hooks, a sing-a-long chorus and is driven by some seriously good bass. ‘Love Will Get You There’ has some lovely 70′s pop vibes to it and another chorus that is just begging to be sung in the summer sunshine.
‘These Are The Days’ is quite possibly the highlight of the album. It is a song that Brandon Flowers would probably kill to write and yes I have to mention U2, I know it is a lazy comparison (for the uninitiated among you, Elijah Hewson’s dad is Bono.....now you can hear it can’t you!) but this track in particular is pretty U2 at their pomp.
‘Dublin In Ecstasy’ is a firm fan favourite having first been played live in 2019. A bit like Oasis taking their time to release ‘All Around The World, putting out Dublin... on album two was the right call. The production is spot on (hats off to producer Antony Genn) well played to the fans who demanded it to be recorded.
With their own headline tour and then support slots with Arctic Monkeys and Harry Styles there will be a lot of ears hearing the work of Inhaler. Two albums in and the fun has only just begun, look at for them at a stadium near you soon.
8/10
