Irish alternative indie band Inhaler once again challenges the status quo with their third studio album, Open Wide. This album is a follow-up to 2023’s Cuts and Bruises, which successfully ducked the second album curse that plagues many young bands. It sees the band continuing their ascent.
Cuts and Bruises secured a No. 1 spot on the Irish album charts and reached No. 2 in the UK, proving Inhaler’s growing presence. Now, Open Wide finds them grappling with the question: Can a guitar-driven rock band still thrive in the musical landscape of the 2020s? And more crucially, can Inhaler take that next leap into mainstream success?
The band—Eli Hewson (vocals, guitar), Robert Keating (bass), Josh Jenkinson (guitar), and Ryan McMahon (drums)—returns with its original lineup intact. Produced by Kid Harpoon, Open Wide embraces raw, live-recorded energy, capturing the band’s chemistry in real time. They’ve described this album as the moment they finally sound like the band they always envisioned. Moving away from youthful nostalgia, Open Wide leans into a more mature, lived-in perspective while retaining the euphoria and vocal intensity that define their style. In the lead-up to the release, the band embarked on a 20-date North American tour and unveiled three singles, each offering a glimpse into the album’s sonic landscape.
The album starts with “Eddie in the Darkness,” a tight, infectious opener that sets the tone with its crisp pop structure. Hewson’s distinctive voice shines, making for an engaging introduction. “Billy (Yeah, Yeah, Yeah)” is a standout, capturing the nervous energy of an infatuation as the protagonist wrestles with self-doubt and hesitation. Lines like, “Am I getting a little too close, or should I walk away?” encapsulate the universal angst of attraction, making it one of the album’s most relatable and gratifying moments.
The lead single, “Your House,” delivers a fuzz-laden, slinky groove reminiscent of The Black Keys, enhanced by Hewson’s soaring vocals and a well-placed gospel choir backdrop. “A Question of You” keeps the momentum rolling with a vibrant riff and a narrative exploring the crossroads of a relationship—should they push forward or call it quits? Meanwhile, “Even Though” stands out with its pulsating synths and shimmering guitars, evoking echoes of New Order and Joy Division infused with a modern sheen.
“Again,” a heartfelt track that deviates from the album’s pop-leaning tendencies, offers a moment of introspection. It reflects on the weight of adulthood and the pull of responsibilities, expressed poignantly in the lyric: “Life is heavy; it tears at your sleeve sometimes.” This theme resurfaces in “Still Young,” which reassures that growing up doesn’t mean losing oneself entirely.
The title track, “Open Wide,” is the album’s emotional centrepiece. Opening with a hypnotic, shoegaze-tinged guitar line and a driving kick drum, Hewson delivers a raw vocal performance that unpacks the complexities of a toxic relationship. The repeated lyric, “I’ll stay with you when you are cruel to the violent thoughts in your head,” captures the push-pull dynamic of love and manipulation. It’s a striking moment of depth that showcases the band’s evolution both lyrically and sonically.
However, the album’s second half loses some of its initial spark. A handful of tracks feel less essential, making the 13-song tracklist feel slightly bloated. Fortunately, the closing number, “Little Things,” revives the energy with a grunge-inflected edge bound to translate well in a live setting, reminding listeners of the band’s undeniable allure.
Open Wide is a strong, compelling record that might have been even more impactful with a more concise tracklist. Seven songs are clear highlights, but a few filler tracks dilute the album’s overall impact. That said, Inhaler continues to grow, incorporating synth textures, shoegaze elements, and grunge influences while exploring deeper lyrical themes. Tracks like “Again,” “Open Wide,” and “Billy” prove their songwriting chops are sharpening, hinting at even greater potential.
While Open Wide doesn’t achieve the definitive breakthrough moment fans might have hoped for, it’s a confident step forward. Inhaler possesses all the ingredients to transcend their current status—they need to harness them fully. Perhaps their next album will be the one to solidify their place at the top.
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