INHALER have released their eagerly awaited second album ‘Cuts & Bruises’ on Polydor Records. Produced by Inhaler’s long-term collaborator Antony Genn, ‘Cuts & Bruises’ features 11 tracks including recent single ‘If You’re Gonna Break My Heart’ as well as the uplifting ‘Love Will Get You There’ and last summer’s euphoric anthem ‘These Are The Days’. Following a prolonged period of touring, INHALER’s sophomore album 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.’Cuts & Bruises’ is the follow-up to Inhaler’s debut album ‘It Won’t Always Be Like This’ which debuted at no.1 in both the UK & Irish Official Charts. Released in July 2021, ‘It Won’t Always Be Like This’ became the fastest-selling debut album on vinyl by any band this century and saw Inhaler become the first Irish group to top the Album Charts with a debut in 13 years.
Tastefully blended with various genres and musical elements ‘Cuts & Bruises’ is a treasure trove of engaging indie tracks. This album is the product of a band acutely aware of their place in the music scene. It is clear that with ‘Cuts & Bruises’, INHALER are confident to display their musical growth while staying true to themselves and they achieve this perfectly.
Filled with sharp guitar licks, driving rhythms and baselines each track rushes with the irresistible sound INHALER have become known for. From the get-go the band grab the listener’s attention with a catchy guitar hook, and hazy melody from ‘Just To Keep You Satisfied’. The track is an impressive start and beckons repeat plays before moving through the rest of the album. As the album progresses INHALER flesh out their sound and showcase other facets of their musicianship. ‘Love Will Get You There’ chugs with a western-esque undertone while ‘These Are The Days’ boasts raw indie rock swagger.
Amongst the fresh stadium bangers, the band sprinkle a healthy serving of brooding ballads throughout the album. A fine example of this is ‘If You’re Gonna Break My Heart’. The track contains wonderfully expressive jazzy keys that chime behind Hewson’s velvety vocals as he croons, “if your gonna break my heart smash it to pieces, ’cause I’m not gonna need it, as much as I do right now”. Another noteworthy ballad is the melancholic ‘Valentine’. This beautiful song surges with heartfelt yearning while a bubbling beat and chiming guitars complement an acoustic refrain and Hewson’s tender coo’s.
The slower more gentle tunes on the album are welcome interludes between the band’s more anthemic work, simply because we get to truly appreciate another aspect of this young band’s music; the lyrics and the emotive musical accompaniment each four members use to enhance the poetic elements to their sound. It’s an exciting experience to hear this part of the band’s music come to the fore through tracks such as ‘Valentine’ that display the meticulous amount of effort the four-piece put into this facet of their musicianship.
‘Cuts & Bruises’ presents a band who’ve grown exponentially in the last two years, both musically and lyrically, but still boasts plenty of pit-opening choruses, refined musicianship and oodles of youthful adrenaline.
About the album the band said: “It was just the four of us jamming in the live room and trying to come up with ideas on the spot,” says Keating. “Playing live for a few months beforehand really helped shape what kind of direction we wanted to take it in.”
“The subject matters of the songs are still all about coming-of-age stuff – the standard stuff you write when you’re a teenager,” adds Hewson, the band’s principal lyricist. “But it also became a little bit more about being in a band. These songs are less about the world around us, and more about what’s going on inside Inhaler.”
Dublin indie rock four-piece Inhaler kicked off their 36-date world tour, with two shows in Dublin’s historic 3Olympia Theatre last week. I headed down to the second date which proved to be a momentous affair. Right from the get-go, I got a sense of the “Beatlemania” effect this band has on their fans. A member of the audience collapsed almost halfway through the first song prompting vocalist and guitarist Elijah Hewson to stop the performance until he was sure the fan was looked after and ok. Perhaps that’s one of the facets of this band’s appeal; their love and care for the safety of their fans …but mostly it’s the wonderful musical earworms these guys create, their youthful adrenaline- fuelled sound and relatable lyrics that discuss the trials and tribulations of life as a 20-something.
Inhaler continued their set with a myriad of fan favourites that immediately went down a treat with the crowd as they bellowed back the lyrics as if their lives depended on it. ‘When It Breaks’ had the pit in a bustle of bouncing bodies and flailing limbs, even fans in the seated section of the 3Olympia were up on their feet dancing. This band have natural charisma and an irresistible charm about them. They don’t need flamboyant stage antics. Their chilled, suave stance and magnetic tunes speak for themselves and draw the crowd in effortlessly. Keen to get as many songs into their set list as possible the band whacked out catchy banger after banger and it became instantly apparent these guys are competent and talented musicians with a checklist of stadium rock-worthy crowd-pleasing tunes.
As performers and artists, the four-piece have grown rapidly. They ooze more confidence since the last I saw them and it is clear they are more comfortable on stage as well. A fine example of their musical growth on the night was their performance of ‘A Night On The Floor’. Much to the delight of the crowd, Josh Jenkinson fleshed out his intricate guitar manoeuvres between Elijah Hewson’s silken croons, Robert Keating’s malleable basslines and Ryan McMahon’s rhythmic drumming. There were many memorable moments throughout the performance and as the night progressed the venue became a bubbling pot of euphoria, fans bounced and sang along to the entire setlist without fail and it is easy to why. These guys create fun, dance-able tunes that blend indie rock, pop and funk embellishments with ease creating an atmosphere for fans to let everything go and enjoy themselves. As Inhaler belted their way through ‘Love Will Get You There’ and ‘It Won’t Always Be Like This’, the mania of the crowd only intensified. There are not many bands around that can whip a crowd into a frenzy the way Inhaler do and it was a wonderful sight to experience and be a part of.
Inhaler are a joy to experience live. The band possess a professional manner and enviable musical talent well beyond their years. They have had to master their craft fast with a lot of eyes on them and last Thursday night was a triumphant middle finger to anyone who doubted them.
Inhaler have released their new single, ‘These Are The Days’.The song is the quartet’s first new music since the release of their debut album It Won’t Always Be Like This in July 2021, a record that went to the top of the charts in both the UK and Ireland. The group have a huge summer of festival dates lined up, including their first Glastonbury performance on the John Peel stage during Friday’s line-up plus appearances at Pinkpop, Nos Alive, BBK Live, Truck, Tramlines, Lollapalooza Chicago, Summer Sonic and a 5000 capacity headline show in Dublin. During the tour to support It Won’t Always Be Like This, Inhaler played to over 40,000 fans during US and European tours. The band will also support Arctic Monkeys across mainland Europe on the Sheffield group’s first live shows in three years. Inhaler have now racked up over 140 million combined streams globally and their debut was a certified Brit Breakthrough that sold over 120,000 across the world. These Are The Days is the first track to emerge from sessions for Inhaler’s forthcoming second album.
‘These Are The Days’ is an invigorating rush of adrenaline as Inhaler travel full steam ahead with their airtight indie rock. With a whirlwind of scorching instrumentation and infectious hooks at the helm, ‘These Are The Days’ is quite the irresistible ditty. In true Inhaler manner, the song is backed by a buoyant drum foundation and lathered in sleek guitar moments from delicate strums to thrashing riffs. Though the backdrop surges with dynamic instrumentation, the band manage to maintain a laid-back tone throughout that is enhanced by a smooth vocal delivery. The track is a joy to listen to and wonderfully captures a sense of youthful fun and vigour through swagger-filled bass and synths. ‘These Are The Days’ is a fun, magnetic new tune from Inhaler.
Dublin band Inhaler have released their highly-anticipated debut album ‘It Won’t Always Be Like This’, through Polydor. This swaggering indie rock album is a triumphant debut brimming with exhilarating soundscapes and eloquent lyrical content while showcasing the musical expertise of each member of the band.
I caught up with singer and guitarist Eli Hewson, bassist Robert Keating, guitarist Josh Jenkinson and drummer Ryan McMahon a little while ago to talk about the album, their musical growth and how guidance from producer Antony Genn brought out the best in the band.
There is no denying the depth of musical talent Inhaler possesses. Within ‘It Won’t Always Be Like This’, the listener is invited to delve deep into the album, explore and indulge in the band’s exhilarating sound through engaging and catchy songwriting and compelling musicianship. The beaming faces of the four-piece were enough to express their delight in finally being able to release their debut.
Eli: “Yeah it’s been a long time coming, it feels it was like 10 years in the making to be honest because we’ve been writing songs since we were teenagers. I think some of the first songs we wrote made it onto the album so it feels like, definitely, yeah, it’s about time.”
Covid and the lockdowns hit the band hard, considering they were gearing up for a big year ahead in 2020 and everything shut down. However, Inhaler took the time to hone and perfect the album writing five new songs and rethinking how they were going to create this debut album. The result is a cohesive, mature and sonically dense collection of tracks that moves through genres of disco, indie and rock.
Ryan: “The album that we were going to write and then record previously, before the pandemic happened, it was totally different and the songs that were written in the first lockdown that have now made it onto the album have just made it 100% better. So we’re really proud of what we have produced now and we’re also kind of glad that we did actually have all that time off to focus in on it more because if we had just gone in to record it straight after coming off tour, we would have been burned out, we wouldn’t have had the songs fully formed or ready to go. So we’re really happy with how it’s turned out in the end.”
The band pack in a plethora of glorious guitar moments within the album. In fact, the guitar melodies and solo’s have always been an enticing aspect within Inhalers music. The four-piece venture into many styles with the guitar from desert, indie, 80’s rock to psychedelic and more. ‘A Night On The Floor’ displays this spectacularly. A slinky bass, grooves atop funky beats and sultry drum progressions as the band create a sleek tune that subtly pivots around magnificent and expressive psychedelic guitar pines and simmering adornments.
When I enquired about who creates these wonderful guitar arrangements all of the band members gesture to the shying guitar virtuoso himself, Josh Jenkinson.
Robert: “ I think all the bands we’ve ever loved as a group have always played guitar and played it in different ways and in great ways and worse ways but usually always have a good time.”
Eli: “Yeah, and we just have so many different influences, so many different favourite guitar players. We love The Smiths, we love Johnny Marr, we love The Stone Roses, The Strokes. Pixies, these are all the best guitar bands, and that’s what inspired us to be in a band in the first place. We can’t help want to put that feeling in our music, and I also feel like there aint a great amount of that type of music around right now so it’s nice to be able to do that.”
Ryan: “And as kids, we grew up loving guitar music as well and so that was the first thing that we kind of gravitate towards one another over, was just the love for that. Not a lot of kids our age when we were 12 or 13 were really into [ it ] so we became friends.”
The rhythm section is another factor that sets the band apart especially within ‘Who’s Your Money On’. The intricate disco rhythms create a dazzling dance-infused tempo that fluctuates and chops through the shimmering disco ball synths, lifting the songs entire dynamic.
Josh: “That was, all chopped up on the sample pad, we made that song as a dance track, and then put actual instruments on it instead which was kind of cool.”
Eli: “We did it in a way where I think it was a recording of a song that we were trying to form a year and a half ago and towards the end of the album process, we were seeing, is there anything that we could dig up to give it a chance to be on the album. Our producer was like, oh yeah we’ve got that, that one kind of jam that we did a while ago on November 16 at 4pm or whatever. We were like, Okay, that’s gonna be really good. Then he took it and he cut up all the different instrument parts and put them on a keyboard and we started playing it like that and it gave it this weird stagnated feel, and it feels really choppy, and that’s actually how we wrote that one and [gave] it’s unique rhythm feel. That was a fun one to make and probably one of the most gratifying again.”
The band fill out their tracks with synths and experiment with different sounds on the album to create a refreshing and rich body of work. This resulted in multiple versions of each of the songs as they figured out what way each song would sound best.
All: “Yeah too many”
Ryan: “They’re locked in a vault, never to be reopened”
Robert: “ There’s always at least 10 demos for every song.”
Ryan: “ ‘ Cheer Up Baby’ is a song that’s only three and a half minutes long or something but it took us about three and a half years to get it right and what’s strange is how the final version of the song turned out pretty similar to the first version we ever did of it. That was a song that, we want to, I suppose, take our time with a little bit because it was the first song that our fans had really ever fallen in love with. So it was really important for us that we got it sounding and feeling the best that it possibly could. With songs like ‘It Won’t Always Be Like This’ its the same story, that was one of the first songs that we ever wrote and was our first single as well – what other songs are there that just have so many different formations?”
Josh: ‘‘A Night On The Floor’,
Ryan: “ ‘A Night On The Floor’, yeah. ‘My King Will Be Kind’ yeah, there’s so many different versions of them that, maybe 20 years from now we’ll be curious to hear, but right now, I’m really enjoying the album and how it sounds now in its finished form. Finally”
I wondered if they felt like they were going crazy listening to multiple versions of the same song.
All: “Yeah.”
Ryan: “ I was on the couch in the studio one day with my head back going, we’re never gonna finish this album.”
The band’s knack with melodies never falters throughout the album. Songs such as ‘When It Breaks’ and ‘Cheer Up Baby’ boast Inhaler’s signature earworm melodies. Interspersed throughout these catchy melodies are powerful, mature and thought-provoking lyrics that leave the listener craving to hear more.
Eli: “ It just flows. Flows like manna”
Josh: “I wish we had the recipe because we’d be able to just do it whenever we want”
Ryan: “Yeah then we would be able to do it with the second record.”
Eli: “I don’t know, we were just really lucky. I think you don’t write songs, I think songs just appear or they don’t appear, and we’re just lucky to have found these songs. I think that the songwriting on the album is really ahead of our age group. We are quite young to be producing songs like this, we’re just really proud of it. But if there’s a recipe, tell me what it is.”
Ryan: “It came to a point where we were so proud of the songs that are now on the album we’ve kind of, just had to slowly detach away from it and put our attention towards writing the second album. All we can do now is hope that people love it as much as we do and that it resonates with as many people as possible. We’re really excited for people to hear them. More importantly, we’re excited to play them live when gigs come back. It’s weird we always tested how good a song was by playing it live. So with a lot of these new songs we had to trust our gut instinct on whether we thought they were good or not and how they would go down live and that was difficult for us to adapt to, but in the end, I think it’s worked”
With lockdowns and the pandemic putting a halt on gigs for a while. The band didn’t have many opportunities to perform with each other. The only opportunity to perform was recording the songs for the album
Josh: “We’ve been rehearsing a lot, recently”
Robert: “yeah only in the last maybe two months. Prior to that we hadn’t really played at all, we weren’t even really seeing each other, “
Josh: “And we didn’t have our instruments, that’s the other thing as well”
Robert: “Yeah that was in the UK so it’s been very strange for us… we just met up together to record and that’s why the album process, it was a weird one because we had to both catch up as friends but also work pretty hard with a lot of focus [and] not much time on our hands.”
Eli: “No time off really either. I think it was interesting being in London because we were really trying not to get corona.“
Josh: “Yeah, that was like the main goal everyday”
Eli: “So we just went from the studio. We walked every day, to and from thestudio to our place, and it was just work, work, write, write, write, work, work, work. It was intense, going from like three months of just doing absolutely nothing to all of a sudden just going alright here it is, But I think we were really driven”
Although it might not appear at first, but performing live can be tough on the body. Especially if you haven’t been gigging in a while. I wondered if the band felt that the first few shows back will be a shock to the system
Robert: “It’s gonna hit us like a train. I can tell you that now we will be absolutely fecked”
Ryan: “I’ll happily be fecked after that”
Robert: “I don’t know, if we can’t handle rehearsal in here, it’s gonna be tough to handle full tours. We’re gonna have to look after our bodies and take it seriously, for sure. I think, every band is gonna have to though, because not only have we not been playing together, people are out of shape. Actually, some people are in shape from lockdown”
Eli: “You go one way or the other.”
Robert: ”I think we went the other”.
Inhaler have released a fun video for their single ‘Cheer Up Baby’ where the band are covered in paint and spattering it around. It’s an anthemic and bright tune that is sure to be a pick me up on a dull day and the video subtly mirrors this.
Eli: “ A director called Joe Connor, really great, smart guy from Manchester and I think when we read his brief, we just really enjoyed the visual style that he was going to have. We liked the idea of the paint because it felt quite innocent and positive, it’s not like a dark video, I mean the song’s not dark but we just wanted to have a colourful vibrant thing because that’s what our music sounds like..”
The album is laced in evocative lyrics that ooze uplifting emotion while at the same time embraces a sense of sadness and longing. Lyrics in the aforementioned, ‘Cheer Up Baby’ are a fine example of this, “oh, how to kill these February blues.” …“When I think of all the things, I didn’t do, Oh, I can’t help but blame it on you…..cheer up baby you’re not on your own”. Perfecting lyrical flow and crafting lyrics that can relate to many people all at once isn’t an easy task but the band are doing an impressive job.
Eli: “ The lyrics are just about things that resonate with kids our age because they’re just about experiences, and, there’s this weird period in your life where you’re not an adult, you’re not teenager and you’re in the middle. That’s what most of the songs are about it’s that transitionary period but we wanted to make a really optimistic record because it’s such a horrible time, I don’t think we want to write sad stuff. A lot of it is just about experiences that we’ve had, or our friends have had during this kind of weird transitionary time. I think before COVID happened, the lyrics were maybe a little less serious and they’re more just like fun and kind of teenage stuff. After the pandemic happened it definitely forced us to write about broader subjects and naturally just wrote things that resonated with other kids our age.”
Eli has a distinctive vocal. Throughout the album, he shows he can croon with tenderness like the best of them in ‘Slide Out The Window’ and howl with impressive, swaggered rock bravado when the song demands, such as in the chorus of ‘When It Breaks’.
Eli: “I didn’t evenknow I was the singer until yesterday.”
Josh: “He considers himself more of a guitar player.”
Eli: “Yeah, literally, I don’t know why I ended up as a singer, but like I am, and I couldn’t sing for ages…I still find it quite hard. I have to force myself into doing it, and really like, find a voice.. because for a long time [ I ] didn’t have one.”
Eli: ”Yeah I definitely do consider myself more of, just a guitar player,”
Robert: “He practised”
Josh: “When we start doing shows again, I think you’ll [Elijah] find it a lot easier being the singer because you’ll be there in the moment.”
Eli: “I definitely enjoy it.”
I wondered what advice the band would give a shy aspiring musician
Eli: “Honestly, the best way to do it is just to throw yourself in the deep end, see how you swim, because that’s what we had to do you. We certainly weren’t ready to go out and play gigs when we did but we did it and I think you learn more in one gig, than you will in 100 rehearsals, it’s just a different animal. The only way to build your confidence is just, get out there and put yourself in front of people and, really just try and figure it out that way”
Ryan: “Comfort zones are dangerous.”
‘It Won’t Always Be Like This’ was recorded with long-term collaborator and producer Antony Genn at London’s Narcissus Studios and the band discussed how vital Genn was with regards to bringing out the best in them.
Ryan: “I think a producer is half the album, you know. We have to come with the songs and play them but the producer is essentially what brings life into the, like, the sonic aspects of the album. We were very lucky with our producer who is not only just a producer for us but also a great friend, Mr. Antony Genn, who’s taught us loads, not only about how to become better musicians or songwriters but also just better people as well, so he’s a very, good coach to have in our camp”
Robert: “it depends on the band too. There’s some bands who probably don’t even need a producer and they just get someone to help them record the album. For us, in a sense he’s part of the band because he really is vocal and helps us find parts of songs that sometimes you wouldn’t be able to find, so it depends. But for us, we think the producer is an important part of making the record for sure.”
Robert: “It’s easy to get caught up…when you’re in a studio, everything sounds good, you forget that you still need to finish a song that people are going to listen to, and you know, the average person isn’t going to care about the four or five keyboards you put on a song. Even though we care about it. So you have to sometimes turn off the fun creative side, and be serious because you can literally, and we’ve done it, where you work for days on something that you end up just going okay, that was a lot of fun but we don’t need any of that stuff. So I guess it’s a balancing act.”
Ryan: “There were certainly periods where we ended up bogged down or overwhelmed during the recording of the album, times where we were not feeling very motivated or anything or the vibe was a bit down. Ant [Antony Genn] was always there to pick us back up and, not only breathe life back into the songs but us whenever we needed it as well. So a lot of what people are hearing on this album, should be credited to him and the hard work that he put into the record as well I think.”
The band compiled their most catchy, genre-bending and boundary-pushing songs to date for this album. They have not compromised on the enjoyment and listening experience either, The order in which each song is placed is precise and creates an energising mood that fluidly flows to the end. The four-piece admitted choosing what tracks made the cut was difficult.
Robert; “Yeah, it was, I think there was some questions we had about some singles that didn’t make it on the record but at the end of the day it was important for us to have the songs that we love as a band and that our fans love but also give way to new songs. We wrote so many good new songs over the lockdown and songs that are kind of the now, as opposed to songs that might not relate to people as much at the moment so we took that into account and made, I think the right decision.”
Eli: “Made it to feel like a gig too. We wanted it to feel like you were at a show when you listened to it”
Inhaler have displayed immense musical and lyrical prowess within ‘It Won’t Always Be Like This’. For a debut, these guys are setting the standard very high. The rich and utterly lush production on the tracks is something to be admired and the dynamic energy within each song is irresistible. Each track warrants its place on the album creating a compelling and thoroughly enjoyable body of work ready for repeat plays.
Dublin quartet Inhaler have released their new single ‘Cheer Up Baby’ alongside the announcement of their debut album, ‘It Won’t Always Be Like This,’ which will be released on July 16th. The band comprised of Elijah Hewson (vocals and guitar), Josh Jenkinson (guitar), Robert Keating (bass), and Ryan McMahon (drums), have already released a string of captivating singles. Their fevered live shows have earned them a diehard fanbase – on their last tour, they sold over 10,000 tickets and played to sold-out crowds across Europe. Their tracks have been streamed over 50 million times globally.
‘Cheer Up Baby’ is a golden ray of sunshine as Inhaler builds their infectious indie sound to create a timeless heartfelt gem. In true Inhaler manner, the track pivots around a sweet guitar refrain. Within ‘Cheer Up Baby,’ this bright guitar melody flickers with catchy indie-rock hues while a groove-stricken bassline and dynamic drums exude the band’s brand of glittering indie finesse over the verses. The sun-kissed soundscape creates a wonderful state of nostalgia enhanced by Hewson’s warm vocal croons “oh, how to kill these February blues.” …“When I think of all the things, I didn’t do, Oh, I can’t help but blame it on you…..cheer up baby you’re not on your own”. His vocals cling to the evocative lyrics oozing uplifting emotion while at the same time embracing a sense of sadness and longing.
However the song does not remain lamentful for long. The brooding verses lead into a chorus eruption as a thunderous upsurge announces the anthemic blazing sound of Inhaler. The bright guitars swell around the punchy drums to create an expansive soundscape for the dizzying synths and rampant bass to fill with exhilarating tones and reverberations.The expressive instrumentation is a joy to the senses and compels the listener to press repeat.
Inhaler are cultivating their sound beautifully to create an intoxicating brand of indie rock, and the result is an anthemic, perfectly executed song in the form of ‘Cheer Up Baby’. Press play and enjoy.
About the track, the band say: “It’s just a great pop song,” says Hewson. “I think it really takes us back to our roots as a band.” “I think it just has that classic, feel-good, anthemic, hopeful feeling that everyone seems to relate to on some level,” says McMahon.
Dublin-quartet Inhaler have released their new single ‘When It Breaks’, on Polydor Records.’When It Breaks’ was recorded over the summer and its lyrical themes chime with the unease and disquiet of the world in 2020. Inhaler are Robert Keating, Josh Jenkinson, Elijah Hewson and Ryan McMahon. The four-piece formed whilst still at school in Dublin.They have amassed a diehard fanbase despite only releasing a handful of singles. Their tracks have been streamed over 35 million times globally. They sold over 10,000 tickets on their last tour and played to sold-out crowds across Ireland, the UK and Europe. Inhaler recently completed work on their highly-anticipated debut album, expected for release early next year.
Shrouded in intoxicating, hypnotic soundscapes, sharp guitars and simmering bass lines, ‘When It Breaks’ is another exhilarating yet haunting number from Inhaler. The track pivots around a buzzing swarm on guitars while the bass line pulses with intensity creating the tracks darker luring underbelly. The song is layered and crafted superbly with spiraling synths fleshing out the track’s dizzying soundscape while the relentless drums pound with vigor for the explosive chorus and tease for the luring verses.
The tracks metronomic rhythm creates an agitated itch and suspense for the verses before an anthemic indie release for the chorus. This jittery anxious atmosphere is contrasted wonderfully by the hopeful-toned melody and Hewson’s emotive vocals. The sharp shrills and piercing laments on guitar have an 80’s shimmering drama to them while the clapping feature and spiraling backdrop surge with heart racing passion. ‘When It Breaks’ is another well crafted number with well placed lyrics and dynamic musicianship from Inhaler.
Speaking about how ‘When It Breaks’ came together, the band said: “We wrote ‘When It Breaks’ in the last couple of months. Over lockdown we were floating around the instrumental demo, it was dark but also pretty hopeful sounding. When we went back to the studio over the summer and really got to put our heads together again, we felt like we had to write something about what was going on and how we felt about it. Coming off tour into lockdown was a huge adjustment for us after we had just got used to life on the tour. At first, it was a welcome break but pretty soon we were dying to get back to any festival or any gig where we could get our fix! The lyrics and the music communicate the anxiousness of how we were all feeling and still are now a couple months later. It’s definitely the most politically-driven song we’ve released so far. It’s our interpretation of this strange and imperfect world we’ve come to live in. Things are gonna change and we are gonna be there when they do.”
Taken from their forthcoming debut album which is currently in the works ‘Falling In’ is the latest release from Dublin quartet Inhaler. The band worked with renowned filmmaker & former Jesus & Mary Chain bassist Douglas Hart (Paul Weller, The Horrors, The Libertines) and Antony Genn on the song’s video, which was shot entirely over Zoom with each member in isolation.The band have amassed a die hard fanbase and their tracks have been streamed over 25 million times globally.
Filled with swirling synths and exhilarating youthful indie ‘Falling In’ presents Inhalers ever growing sound with a dash of 80’s swag. Shimmying percussion and an enticing bass groove create the tracks irresistible rhythmic flow. Robert Keating plays bass like the best of them; his ability to fluidly slide slinky bass grooves into a fuzzy dazing soundscape or rocking indie pop gem is impressive. While Keating’s bass is responsible for the smooth swanky gloss of each Inhaler track, Ryan McMahon whacks out that all important nimble yet all powerful drum backbone.
The track lifts to ebullient heights as it progresses to the euphoric crescendo. Josh Jenkinson’s free flying sleek guitar refrains soar and squall through the infectious beat. His shredding guitar solo ignites with a vaporous sting while Elijah Hewson’s warm and passionate vocals melt with a cool tone over the catchy bubbling backdrop.
Inhaler have created a psychedelic-hued track with dizzying synth swirls and grounding funk flexes to soundtrack the lyrical document on how their lives have changed over the past year as they reflect on the pitfalls of success. Lyrically the track shows great promise and growth in the band. Their songwriting displays depth, perspective and maturity. There is oodles of vibrancy and potential blossoming beneath the raw moments within the song while the effortless charisma the band members themselves exude, makes the song charming and instantly mesmerising.
‘Falling In’ hints Inhaler’s instrumental prowess is becoming more refined; subtle layering and musical treats are hidden and weaved throughout the track’s exhilarating soundscape.Another fine addition to Inhalers catalogue.
About the track frontman Elijah Hewson says : “Falling In is a song about the battles that we all have with our own ego.I think being a young band on tour, and seeing our music connect with audiences from different parts of the world has opened our eyes to the excitement and exhilaration of life and being up on stage and feeling wanted and loved can be a very powerful drug. We are just beginning to encounter our own egos and becoming aware that allowing it to be in charge of who you are can be your downfall. You can cut yourself on its sharp edges and bleed to death if you’re not careful. We want to meet our egos head on, shake their hands and give them a hug. We are not afraid of them… we know we need each other. Your ego can be your friend, but you need your mates to make sure it doesn’t boss you around.”
Following up to their single ‘Ice Cream Sundae’ which hit the music scene in September 2019, Dublin quartet Inhaler have now released their new single ’We Have To Move On’ on Polydor Records. Inhaler have just been announced as fifth place in the BBC Sound Of 2020 and recently completed a UK and European tour that saw them sell over 7,000 tickets and play to frenzied, sold-out crowds. Kasabian recently announced Inhaler as one of the support acts at their upcoming huge hometown show at Leicester’s Victoria Park.
’We Have To Move On’ presents Inhaler’s effervescent sound through a bubbling sonic soundscape and brooding swirling atmosphere. Inhaler tastefully lather their tracks in a driving, rushing pulse of adrenaline and ‘We Have To Move On’ is no different. The track ferments through the rumbling bass which smudges a dark gritty coating over the escaping bite on guitars. Sonic elements flash and flurry through the soundscape reinforcing the bass’ ripple effect while the steady snappy beat on drums skillfully reins in all this palpitating mania. An ethereal melody drips off rasp coated vocals as the track wiggles and weaves with tension building steadily in the backdrop while slinky, raw guitar moments slice through the dark, swagger-filled atmosphere. ‘We Have To Move On’ is an impressive display from Inhaler as the quartet continue their impressive run with an eerie tempting number which adds a dash of maturity to their delicious indie sound.
We sat down to have a chat with Josh Jenkinson , Eli Hewson, Robert Keating and Ryan McMahon from Inhaler before their sold out shows in The Button Factory Dublin. We talked about how they form their tracks, the pressure on bands and artists now and what advice they would give new artists based on their experience.
Security move the eager front line back from the stage as the crowd in The Button Factory, Dublin gush about how many times they have seen new risers Inhaler and why “these guys are the best band out there at the moment”. There is a varied fan base for these young rock stars, a healthy crowd of all ages throng the venue to see what Inhaler have in store for their second sold out night. Many had seen them the night before, some traveled from the UK and farther afield to see the Dublin quartet. One fan in particular told me she had seen them the previous week in London and had tickets to see them again two more times in the UK next year. There is a buzz about Inhaler that is the envy of many artists on the circuit. They have even been long-listed for BBC Music Sound of 2020. I thought to myself, could this fresh faced quartet live up to the hype and deliver a great live show? Well …yes, actually they can deliver… with oodles of swagger and explosive onstage persona. The Button Factory witnessed something special Thursday night – a budding band which is destined to go far.
But first we are treated to one of the most impressive support slots of the year. Kilkenny’s The Wha embrace with ease the task of warming up the crowd. The band provide tantalizing tunes laced in psychedelic indie bliss with dreamy, moody, melodic undertones. ‘Innocents’ introduced the crowd to their melodically lush sound. The band’s modest stance and simple stage presence make them instantly charming however their musical prowess is not to be underestimated. These guys are a talented bunch of musicians. They had more control over our swaying bodies than we did. The Wha’s songs will make you bop and move before you even realise you want to. Bassist Marek Lech and drummer Abe G. Harris provide a solid, driving groove that is impeccably elastic and malleable. ‘Blue For You’, ‘40 Odd Years’ and ‘She Won’t Believe Her Eyes’ all exude wonderful hazy melodies with heavy blasts. The refined, precise guitar melodies executed ever so coolly by dual vocalists Finn Cusack and Sam Cullen had the crowd in the palm of their hands.
These guys are prime quality indie and sure to skyrocket due to their clever musicianship and delicious melodies. They are cool, competent musicians. The Wha are a band you need to know and listen to.
Inhaler triumphantly take to the stage to a mass of cheers. The rock ‘n’ roll band’s lively energy distinguishes their live performance from other acts. They are inimitable onstage, each members larger than life persona oozed confidence and skill beyond their years.
The band blast full speed into their set. Another proficient bassist, Robert Keating provides the infectious groove throughout their tracks with an effortless attitude. His serious stance charms some members of the audience to gush about his stern smoulder while his sublime and intricate bass lines impress the masses. The quartet have the crowd eating out of the palm of their hands from the get go. Everyone wanted a picture/ video of this young band in action. Ryan McMahon tackles the drums, raised on a drum riser his hair flops in time with the rapid powerful beat. His rhythmic thumping commands the crowd to dance. The bands sound is blazing as they weave psychedelic hues into their pummeling rock ‘n’ roll. “This one is the slow one so if you wanna go take a piss do that now” frontman Eli Hewson announces before the sultry ‘A Night On The Floor’. Quite the dynamic frontman he prances about the stage each flick, strut and pose praised with whoops from the crowd. Hewson’s charming personality is infectious. He moves to the front of the stage, reaching out to fans while executing a sweet little shuffle/wiggle with his feet. He holds everyone’s attention while his warm rasped vocals drape over the bands pop-drizzled melodies with a velvety croon.
‘Ice Cream Sundae’ ignites one of the most excitable reactions from the crowd as they bellow back the lyrics wholeheartedly and lovingly. It’s a non stop party. ‘Falling In’ continues the kinetic energy with its scorching rush of intensity and swagger. This band have an impressive first rate lineup of musicians. Josh Jenkinson is one class act guitarist. He meanders beautifully through intricate, lush guitar lines. His adept skill is majestic and a joy to watch.
It’s easy to see why Inhaler have an audience ranging from all ages. From the clapping stomp of ‘My King Will Be Kind’ to the glistening ‘Cheer Up Baby’ the band seamlessly drift through multi tones and genres providing something everyone can enjoy. ‘My Honest Face’ closes the bands set with the crowd going absolutely crazy. It’s a dark enigmatic track laced in explosive, thrilling and glorious instrumentation. No one wants Inhaler’s set to end. However the band don’t appear to stand on ceremony and they leave the stage with a bow.
Inhaler are a slick, well primed machine that are cultivating their sound and brand superbly. They are creating something truly captivating and relevant. It is easy to realise what all the hype is about and how they have garnered such a loyal adoring fanbase. They are an act to get excited about. They are mesmerising to watch onstage and with such a great sound, if they keep doing what they are doing these proficient musicians will be very big indeed.
Check out some more images of the show below
Indie: (n) an obscure form of rock which you only learn about from someone slightly more hip than yourself.
