Open Wide by Inhaler // Album Review

Open Wide showcases a fresh and evolved sound for Dublin rock band Inhaler. Wanting to start with a clean slate, the band ended up making some of their best and most cohesive work yet. This album marks their third release as a band and it's clear how far they've come as a band during the time that followed their 2023 sophomore release Cuts & Bruises. With Open Wide, it is so evident that they weren't necessarily focused on crafting an album around the singles but instead wanting to make an album that feels like a full, complete body of work. The confidence in their sound and the clear artistic direction they had when making this is evident when listening to this album. Every single song is so electrifying and consistent in the energy and narrative at the heart of this record.

The release of their third album ushers in a new, exciting era for the band. Open Wide was produced in collaboration with Kid Harpoon, who is best known as Harry Styles' core collaborator on all of his solo music. He is also known for his work with Florence + The Machine, as well as Miley Cyrus' most recent album, Endless Summer Vacation. Inhaler's first two albums, It Won't Always Be Like This and Cuts & Bruises were both produced by Antony Genn, so this was their first time working with someone new. "We didn't want to do the same thing again. We'd found such a rhythm in working with him in London that we wanted to get out of that predictable rhythm." the band's lead singer, Eli Hewson, told SPIN of the decision to work with a new producer this time around. "And we love Harry Styles' last album, Harry’s House. It was quite a fresh pop sound and had guitars in it, so it attracted us." The strong influence that record had throughout Open Wide is evident, especially on songs like "Even Though" and "A Question Of You".

That ability to blend the traditional pop and classic rock sound that Harry is so well known for was undoubtedly a major influence for Inhaler when making this album, but it is clear that their musical inspirations go much deeper throughout all that they have released so far. Inhaler has continuously found a way to weave their contemporary and classic influences all into one unique, fresh sound. From Arctic Monkeys, The 1975 and The Killers, to Joy Division, Oasis, and more - Inhaler is a blend of so many of the greats that came before them, with an edge that makes them an important voice for a new generation of music fans. The inherent U2 influence cannot go unmentioned either, as the band's lead singer, Eli, is Bono's son. Much of Inhaler's sound often carries the same emotional and anthemic qualities that U2 has perfected throughout their decades of music as well. The familial connection is evident from the first moments you hear Eli sing, but that doesn't seem to be a quality they dwell on much in an effort to carve out their own space in music, which they have been able to successfully accomplish over the past several years as a band.

"In hindsight, the first two albums, compared to where we are now, almost feel like they came out at the same time," the band's drummer Ryan McMahon said in an interview with SPIN. "We recorded the first album in bizarre circumstances when there was a pandemic and then as soon as we were able to tour again, we were never home, and we would be recording the second album any moment we had off the road. It was like that for two and a half years. This album, in a weird sense, feels like we've done our first-ever record, in the traditional sense of how you hear of people making albums. That has played a huge part in the attraction we have to the body of work and the personal connection we have to each song. We were given the luxury of time to sit with all of them for a long time. Everything about this record feels new. It was a new producer, a new studio, new ways of writing together, the first time we all sat down and talked about lyrics. All of that stems from the growth we had as individuals without ever realizing that we were, in fact, growing up."

"Eddie In The Darkness" serves as the electrifying opening of Open Wide. It's such a strong start to the record, the energy and dynamic guitar-driven instrumentation sets the tone for all that's to come with the rest of the album. This song was described as "...a dirty, grimy cubicle on a night out, that's what I think of when I think of 'Eddie'", Eli told Independent of the fictional character the song is based around, "The one who eggs you on to have that extra drink, stay that extra hour."

Much of the rest of the album focuses on these shared themes of isolation, introspection, and navigating a quarter life crisis. This journey of self-discovery has been at the forefront of much of their music up to this point and remains the defining focus of Open Wide. These themes craft an intimate yet universally relatable message within the music that is a stunning reflection of the uncertainty and growth that defines this pivotal stage of life.

"Billy (Yeah Yeah Yeah)" continues the trend of songs that are named after someone, whether it be a fictional or real-life person in their artistic universe. Billy is in reference to the younger brother of the band's bassist Robert Keating. "The day we wrote it, I had to leave to see a school gig my far more talented younger brother had," he wrote in an Instagram caption. "Billy, his eyes are like headlights, can't see in the window of his fast car, she's the stoplight," Eli sings, "Not turning red or green yeah, she's gold and she's honest, don't justify the reason, don't lie for a promise". It takes a really interesting conversational approach to the lyricism, which is amplified by the infectious guitar hook throughout. It takes the recurring feelings of uncertainty, while incorporating this deep sense of love and assurance at the same time. This fusion of conversational lyricism and dynamic instrumentation showcases Inhaler’s ability to craft songs that feel both personal and universally relatable.

"It's weird, we had this first-name thing on this album that kept happening on the demos. It was a complete accident. Billy, Eddie…there was one called 'James' that got cut," Eli said in an interview with Apple Music. "A lot of these songs are like conversations with people that you're witnessing, which was a different approach to the lyrics than on the first two albums, which felt more personal and introspective."

"Your House" is another standout track on this album, and it perfectly captures Inhaler’s ambition to create music that feels larger than life, even when grappling with destructive themes. Eli explained it best in his interview with Hot Press, "We're an ambitious band that wants to create anthemic music, particularly when things feel so destructive," he said. "'Your House' is about belonging to someone or something that's bad for you. The verse is blasé but the chorus feels spiritual. I love that contrast."

That contrast really shines through, especially in the chorus, when Eli sings, "I'm going nowhere you won't find me, maybe I sold love for what it's worth on the street. There ain't sharp enough knife to cut me out of your life, I'm going to your house tonight." The soaring background vocals and lush instrumentals make it such a full and immersive listening experience. This song is among the most notably referential to the sounds of Harry Styles' Harry's House record, in a way that is grounded and honest, with grand pop production.

The centerpiece of this album is the title track, "Open Wide", which is a bold, anthemic and introspective moment on the album. "It's existed for years but never felt destined to end up on an album," Inhaler wrote in an Instagram caption. "We brought the song into the studio where it took on a shape and colour that we fell so in love with we named our album after it. We imagine it sounds like the feeling of taking that last breath before you jump off a giant cliff into some water."

That description of it perfectly encapsulates the track's liberating sound and distinctly exhilarating emotional release. It brings so much of the emotions and intensity throughout this album to the forefront. "I'll stay with you, when you are cruel to the violent thoughts in your head, but sometimes you'll do much worse, you can't reverse the beautiful things you said," Eli sings in the chorus. This song represents such an emotional, conflicting blend of both compassion and heartbreak.

"All I Got Is You" is also among the most memorable moments of the record, one that is possibly even my personal favorite off of Open Wide, even though that seems to change every time I listen. It feels like an ode to iconic sounds of the 1980's, with a mix of contemporary pop influences as well. That distinct blend of familiar and fresh stylings truly showcases how versatile Inhaler is as a band and the range of influences behind their music.

"This one was the last piece of the puzzle. We wrote it just after the second album, but it was one of the last songs we recorded for this record," Eli said in an interview with Apple Music. "It's our nod to The Smiths and that '80s world. We don't often get to represent that in our music, so it's a nice thing to do. Plus, it's really fun to play." Also noting in that same interview with Apple Music, Robert, the band's bassist, added that "I remember ages ago thinking that it sounded a bit like a Harry Styles song - then we ended up working with Harry Styles' producer on it!"

Another song that truly showcases Inhaler's versatility is "X-Ray". While it's completely different than anything else on Open Wide, it holds such an important space toward the end of this record. From the opening guitar riff, the listener is pulled right into its haunting tone, it even has the slightest country-inspired influence in its first moments.

In an interview with Apple Music, Robert described the unique evolution this song went through during the album's creation. "On the demo it sounded quite a lot like The Cure. We kept a lot of the stuff that we loved about the demo in. There's a keyboard that stayed and the chorus was this really cool middle eight on the early demo. It was kind of like Frankenstein," he said. "We had to chop and stitch stuff together and see what worked. It feels quite experimental within the record. With all the recording techniques that we used for the album, this one feels more on experimental side."

It is made up of a very distinct blend of influences that I have never heard Inhaler experiment with before. Lyrically, "X-Ray" is also among the most thought-provoking on Open Wide as well. "Feels like heaven, even if there's not one, I will chain myself to your soul", Eli vividly sings in the song's chorus. This is such an experimental direction for them to be going in and I would love for them to continue to expand upon this sound with future releases.

The final track on Open Wide is called "Little Things," which is an electrifying way to end the album. While it's the kind of high-energy song they would usually place at the start of a record to set the tone for all that's to come, it really works so well as the closer. It’s bold, dynamic, and leaves a lasting impression for the listener. "It's a big strong point to leave it on. We didn't want to wimp out at the end of the record. It was interesting to do what we would do at the beginning of our old albums at the end of this one. I love how it feels at the end. I really do." Eli said in an interview with Apple Music.

"I'll take my shot, I ain't gonna miss, confirming that my ignorance is my bliss," he sings in the second verse. "Ain't gonna waste it, I can be what I'm not, you reach for the stars when they're all you got". The lyrics exude determination and passion, which is undoubtedly a driving force behind the band's artistic growth, further amplified by the song's incredible instrumentals.

With Open Wide, Inhaler delivers a cohesive yet diverse body of work that showcases their versatility as a band. If they weren't already considered to be so already, Open Wide fully solidifies Inhaler's spot as one of the most exciting bands in rock music right now.