Inhaler - Cuts & Bruises
So Far, So Good - Inhaler’s Sophomore Album Cuts & Bruises
Review by Deanna Dee
With the success of their debut album It Won’t Always Be Like This released back in July of 2021, Inhaler’s second studio album, Cuts & Bruises, had huge expectations to fill. With their quick rise to fame over the past 18 months, the four-piece Dublin rockers have proven that they have not fallen to “second album syndrome” and are successfully making their mark in the music world.
Known for their alternative indie rock sound that’s reminiscent of 90’s brit pop and more modern indie rock bands such as The Strokes, The Killers, and Kings of Leon, the band consists of frontman Elijah Hewson, Robert Keating on the bass, Josh Jenkinson on the guitar, and Ryan McMahon on the drums, each of which contribute a whole lot of talent within their latest album. Cuts & Bruises is full of tasty guitar licks, heart thumping basslines and drums, and some pretty remarkable vocals.
Before the release of the album, the band put out three singles, “These Are The Days,” “Love Will Get You There,” and “If You’re Gonna Break My Heart”. While these tracks gave us a glimpse into what was going to come, the rest of the album did not carry this same effect as these singles did. “These Are The Days,” the best out of the three, is an upbeat anthem that is an ode to fans and to the band's journey thus far. It’s a catchy and solid track that really encapsulates the essence of Cuts & Bruises. “Love Will Get You There” and “If You’re Gonna Break My Heart” are some of the more mellow songs on the album that have a more mainstream pop sound that you could hear on the radio, but also could still sing at the top of your lungs.
“Just To Keep You Satisfied” is the first song on the 11-track album which captures their new experimentation on finding their signature sound. It’s the perfect opening track that is light and uplifting. The spacey synths and steady beat will leave you feeling extremely nostalgic. “So Far, So Good” is where they really appeal to their indie rock sound. A short right to the point song has some great vocals and catchy guitar licks.
“Dublin in Ecstasy” is a classic Inhaler-sounding song and is definitely one of the strongest on the album. It also was an unreleased fan favorite that was left off their debut album. This song will make you want to experience it in a crowd and dance around. It has some incredible guitar riffs and a really strong chorus that displays the band's chemistry.
The rest of the tunes reek indie rock and are ambiguously love songs. Lyrically they really show the stage of life the boys are living in which creates authenticity and something you can personally relate to. “Perfect Storm,” “When I Have Her On My Mind,” and “Valentine” are all prime examples. Each of these songs throughout the album create an up-and-down effect which keeps you enticed in listening.
The most drastic sounding song on the album is “The Things I Do” which uses piano notes and some harmonizing that really showcases their ability to create a song different from the rest yet still recognizable. Closing the album, “Now You Got Me” is the heaviest sounding song Inhaler has come out with. Bringing the listener back up with a feel-good song and leaving them satisfied all the way to the end.
Overall, Cuts & Bruises is a solid album and is a pleasure to listen to. Inhaler created a deeper meaning with this album lyrically; heartfelt and a feeling of healing while looking back on some sweet memories. So far, Inhaler’s fan base seems to be growing exponentially. If they continue to top the charts and keep producing great music, they will launch themselves full force into stardom which I know will feel so good.
Inhaler is set to embark on a 24 date North American tour starting March 6th in Austin, Texas and ending April 6th in Los Angeles, California. Since previously touring with some of the biggest acts like Arctic Monkeys last fall, this summer is shaping up to be the biggest yet for these rockers, who are already scheduled to open for Harry Styles at Slane Castle in Ireland and are expected to show at almost a dozen festivals and counting all over the world. If you have the chance, they are something you don’t want to miss!
