Inhaler has returned with their third studio album, Open Wide, a cohesive refining of their signature sound. However, the standout successes of the album are overshadowed by the presence of watered-down commercial rock singles.
Clear efforts to include crowd-pleasing anthems as the lead singles result in unmemorable commercial pop-rock tunes. The weak choice for the lead single, “Your House”, includes an interesting shift from a bass-heavy verse to a gospel-inspired chorus, but that is where the memorable elements end. It is a grower, but a slow one at that.
The upbeat “A Question of You” seems almost purpose-built for radio and festivals – its jangly guitar fails to do much other than to remind me of Lipps, Inc.’s “Funkytown”. After listening to “Billy (Yeah Yeah Yeah)”, the repetitive and unoriginal ‘yeah’ refrain in the chorus is the only standout takeaway; the song merits light head-nodding and blends into other tracks without standing on its own. The title track features a long, distorted intro before smooth vocals over guitar with heavy reverb, hinting at a melodic buildup but ultimately falling flat. Despite incorporating some country and gospel-infused elements, the album feels more like returning to home base than the experimental breath of fresh air it has been marketed as.
There are undoubtedly some standout tracks. The 70s-inspired classic rock feel of “X-Ray” paired with the industrial hi-hats immediately places the song in a different league from the more pop-infused singles. Hewson’s almost shout-singing of the chorus, “…feels like heaven”, makes it one of the most instantly memorable and unique songs on the album. The addictive riffs of ‘Concrete’ are reminiscent of highlights of their previous albums such as “Cheer Up Baby”. Soaring guitar parts in “Even Though” instantly evoke The War on Drugs-esque guitar, combined with 80s-inspired synths. “The Charms” is vulnerable and hypnotic with synths and an infectious guitar solo, echoing earlier fan favourites such as “Valentine”.
As a fan who has seen them live twice, the album fits into place seamlessly in their discography but fails to steer the band in a new direction. Only time will tell how it holds its own against the first two albums–will they in future albums finally rise to the challenge of releasing a song better than “Dublin in Ecstasy”?
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