Ok listen. We've been cooped up inside our homes for way longer than we should be. We've all been going a little crazy, musicians included. I'm sure you've heard of some of the "quarantine albums" that have come out in the past year that reflect the artists' mental health and serve as an expression of their emotions that they've been dealing with. The album I'm gonna talk about today is by far my favorite of these quarantine albums, along with it being a debut album from a band I've been watching for over a year.
So: Who even is Inhaler? Inhaler is a 4-piece Irish rock band that consists of Robert Keating (bass), Josh Jenkinson (guitar), Elijah Hewson (vocals/guitar), and Ryan McMahon (drums). Devoted U2 fans might notice Elijah's last name and yes; he is Bono's son. They formed the band in 2012, when all 4 of them were in school together and just entering their teens. They're relatively young for a band with over 1 million listeners on Spotify: they're all 21. The band released a handful of singles leading up to the album. They self-released their debut single, "I Want You", in 2017. 3 more singles followed in 2019 ("It Won't Always Be Like This", "My Honest Face", and "Ice Cream Sundae") and 1 more in 2020 ("We Have To Move On") Something interesting to note: Former Pulp member (and one of Bono's family friends) Antony Genn invited them to record "Ice Cream Sundae" in his studio. During their 2019-2020 tours, during which they supported Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds and Blossoms extensively, they released their self-titles debut EP. The single "Cheer Up Baby" was released in March of this year and the album itself was released on June 9th, 2021. And that's pretty much it. I first heard "We Have To Move On" and was instantly hooked. It also helped that their influences are all bands that I absolutely love. Strokes? Check. Interpol? Check. Depeche Mode? Check. I could go on. (also funny haha note: Noel Gallagher described the band like, "They're a bit like the Bunnymen and early U2, which is a surprise." Never change Noel.) Needless to say, I was extremely excited for this album. And it delivered. And then some.
This is the part of the post where I do a track by track review, skip if you want, final thoughts at the bottom, blah blah blah you know the drill. This album is a little different though. I ordered a signed vinyl that came with an extra 7" disc that contained 2 singles that aren't on streaming services yet. I won't be reviewing these two since they aren't available on mainstream platforms, but if you're like me and love this album lemme tell ya: they are great.
1: "It Won't Always Be Like This"
One of the best opening tracks in recent memory. It's just catchy. Memorable too, which makes it an even stronger opening track. "Play me like a record baby, spin me round" can be compared to the "Use me like an oar, and get yourself to shore" lyric from The Strokes' "At The Door". I love the little pause in the instrumental right near the bridge, it makes Elijah's voice soar and really brings out his range.
2: "My Honest Face"
I was avoiding this song when I first dug into their discography, but after a couple listens it really grew on me. The influence here is clear: Depeche Mode mixed with some sparkly synths. The "one-two-three" banging sound in the verse is a clear indicator. My only problem with this song is the lyric "Honey I could play the joker/ My made up smile broke your heart last night". I just think the Joker part is a little cringey, but hey it doesn't ruin the whole song. I also really like the stuttering on the k and I sounds during the last verse, it reminds me a lot of Talking Heads.
3: "Slide Out The Window"
This is a very laid back track, which I appreciate. Most albums with back to back hype songs are really hard to listen to in album form. The influence here is definitely Stone Roses-esque, with a little psychedelic thrown in. The little riff in the chorus is uncanny and somehow uplifting. I couldn't tell you what the song is about, but it sure is a nice trip.
4: "Cheer Up Baby"
This was the single that made it to the highest place on the charts, so it makes sense to put it on the album. I got really annoyed at this song at first, mainly because it is textbook pop-rock. Like, I'm talking "Songs About Jane"-era Maroon 5 songwriting and chord progressions. That doesn't make it bad at all though, this is the song that deserves to be on the radio, it is infectious to an infuriating degree. I would recommend this song to anybody, particularly since its so accessible. Also: amazing little guitar solo right near the last verse.
5: "A Night On The Floor"
This song is just: sexy. The stripped down instrumental really does wonders for Elijah's lyrics. Like the opening lyric is just "For all you lovers and your kids/ You might not like and might call me a bitch" which is equal parts shock factor and his intonation. Also, I love the lyric "For all your sinners, saved by saints/ God bless the madness of the fifty states" like c'mon that's just plain witty. Elijah's lyrics really shine here, along with the band's ability to create an atmosphere that evokes feeling.
6: "My King Will Be Kind"
Speaking of atmosphere that evokes feeling, this is where its in the spotlight. This song has Interpol written all over it, the progression of the song imitates "The New" and the melancholy guitar paired with the acoustic imitates "Stella Was a Diver and She Was Always Down". If it has Interpol written all over it, I'm all over it. This song is great because it shows the band can write hits but they can also reach that emotional depth and tone like their influences. The actual acoustic and lead guitar don't introduce themselves until the 2:30 mark, but man oh man do they make an entrance.
7: "When It Breaks"
This is an angsty song, a la Blur, just without the Britpop frills. I like it well enough, its a hype song and it does its duty. I just love how the lyrics refer to a storm waiting to break and they actually mixed in a storm siren into the song if you listen hard enough. The raw guitar work done on this song by Josh is immaculate.
8: "Who's Your Money On? (Plastic House)
This song has a disgustingly dirty and catchy bassline that I can't get enough of. It takes some of its cues from dance/electronic music (LCD Soundsystem anyone???) and is a loop of the same verse with one unique verse thrown in near the 4 min. mark. I love the "bounce" of the first half of the song, it feels like a waterpark ride. Right after the 4 min. mark, the song shifts to a sort of "MTV Unplugged" add-on of, seemingly, a completely different song. But it creates a somber tone that is lovingly dreamy. It lulls you in, even after the high-energy groove, and just lets you sail on the lone guitar riff and Elijah's voice.
9: "Totally"
My personal favorite, it's overlooked in my opinion. It's an effortless jam, with some funk added in to make the jam even better. It's one of those songs that you just hum to yourself on a walk or when you're doing chores around the house. It goes without saying, but the guitar picking technique that Josh uses in this song is extremely catchy. The bridge near the 3 min. mark lets Elijah's voice just float along happily to the groove. Can't praise it enough.
10: "Strange Time To Be Alive"
This is the interlude right before the closer and is just about one minute of pure atmosphere. It reminds me a lot of Interpol's "Interlude 1" and "Interlude 2". It's short, pensive, and succinct.
11: "In My Sleep"
A rather dark and ominous rock piece to pick for a closer, but it's great. This is the song that is most influenced by U2 in my opinion; the reverb on the guitars says it all. It almost sounds pirate-y in a way. Yeah I'm calling it Indie Pirate music. I adore the last verses where Elijah just repeats "Meet you there", with each time adding another voice recording onto it. Love it.
Spoiler alert: this is my album of the year. The mix of atmospheric songs with the pop-rock grandeur fulfills this hole in my heart I never knew even existed. It put all the feelings and emotions that I've felt this whole covid situation and created art out of it. The lyrics have been kept vague enough so that anyone can relate to them, a fact which I am thankful for. I highly recommend this album to anyone because, frankly, it's the most accessible indie rock album I've come across (besides "Is This It" of course). Here's a little promotional video they put out about the making of the album. It's nice to see how humble they are about what they do:
Thanks for reading! <3
-Niyam
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