More about: Inhaler

When Inhaler embarked upon creating their debut album, they had a point to prove. With ‘It Won’t Always Be Like This’, they were fired-up, fully-charged and determined to show their full hand. Just shy of two years later, the Dublin four-piece are back with their second offering, Cuts & Bruises. As the name might suggest, this is to some extent a full display of who the band have become, hurt and pain and all. However, on their sophomore release, Inhaler are holding some of their cards close to their chest: they’re more coy, more collected and way more confident. 

With the breezy, fizzing opening notes of ‘Just To Keep You Satisifed’, Inhaler welcome in their new era with a knowing wink – there’s less of the brazen, bold arrogance that sometimes lingered in the background of their debut. Instead, it’s a quiet confidence – a sage, wizened outlook that seems to say they know better now than the unfiltered bitterness and high-speed pace of what came before. They’ve sunk into themselves more, and the result is an album that sees them at their best yet. 

"As each track peels back, it becomes evident that their writing and sonic skills have become far more complex..."

The lofty ambitions of lead single ‘These Are The Days’ was only a glimpse of what the band had shown they were capable of with this release. As each track peels back, it becomes evident that their writing and sonic skills have become far more complex. ‘Perfect Storm’ is a dark romantic moment that the band revel in – somewhat subdued and hesitant but endlessly enraptured. Elsewhere, ‘When I Have Her On My Mind’ feels like classic Inhaler, with that quintessential outlook that lingered so much on their debut. 

They’re equal parts anthemic and thoughtful, and here it feels the focus was less on making festival bangers and more on creating a world. It’s a black and white movie, rain on the pavement rock that follows their every thought and move. They lean into their pop sensibilities more, and it allows their output to become more dramatic, more cinematic. ‘Dublin In Ecstasy’ is an older track, beloved by older fans who caught it live early in the band’s career. Yet, it feels like the very track that will define their trajectory moving forward. 5 minutes of thrilling basslines acts as a testament to Inhaler’s talent. It’s an immense moment, capturing a vision of a city adored by them through their lens and immortalising it with every yearning vocal and steady drumbeat. 

By the time the sparking synths of ‘Now You Get Me’ roll around, Inhaler have begun to heal those wounds they sing about so earnestly. In the wake of Cuts & Bruises, they emerge stronger, more assured and more together than ever. It’s an album that plays on the strengths of each member, and in those lyrics dedicated to the love they share between themselves, there’s a reminder of the heights they can reach at their strongest - and they meet each other right at the highest point, at their very best.

Cuts & Bruises arrives Feb 17th.

Grab your copy of the Gigwise print magazine here.

More about: Inhaler