Toeing the line between a new free-spirited synth-laden Indie soundscape, and the more retro grungy guitar efforts and moody vocals, 'Open Wide' marks a new chapter for Irish Indie Rock favourites Inhaler. The band’s latest offering promises a sonic shift which flirts with elements of 70s Glam Rock - but remains true to itself as anthemic lyrical work attempts to light up each track.
The Dublin-based quartet embrace a more cathartic approach across their new record; a seamless, glittery production style fuses old with new as tracks like ‘Again’ and ‘All I Got Is You’ ooze with rhythm and groove, backed by Elijah Hewson’s reliable lyricism.
The album’s title track boasts instrumental vibrance tinged with a fuzz which harks back to Inhaler’s early discography. Snippets of guitar-driven chaos are determined to break through a lighter, disco-infused sound that might lack momentum at times.
‘Billy (Yeah Yeah Yeah)’ opens with a toneful guitar that wouldn’t sound out of place on an a record from LCD Soundsystem or The 1975. A mellowness encapsulates the middle run of tracks, laced with unexpectedly gentle vocal work that gives room to more muted guitar riffs and merely shadowing efforts from drummer Ryan McMahon.
Inhaler close the album on a high note, championing their classic formula to produce ‘Little Things’ - an anthemic arms-around-mates track that hits the spot for long haul fans.
'Open Wide' serves as a reflection of the band’s instrumental maturity on their journey towards stardom. The album pays homage to a detailed palette of musical inspirations that have crafted their sonic display over the years; straying far from the confines of modernity to produce an ethereal insight into quarter-life crises and evolving stylistic choices.
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