Inhaler - Cuts & Bruises - album review

By Sydney Fluker

If “It Won’t Always Be Like This” set the standard, then “Cuts & Bruises” blew it out of the water.

INHALER’s sophomore record shows just how adaptable and true to their sound the band truly is, culminating in a danceable album centering the love and beauty that comes from friendships.

Press photo sourced externally

The album will almost certainly be popular, with an approachable style that will attract popularity but enough depth to keep listeners enticed. Though the album seems made for the masses, there is still a certain edge to INHALER that keeps them authentic. And it will come as no surprise if these four Dubliners start selling out bigger venues after their time on tour with Harry Styles and the Arctic Monkeys this year.

“Cuts & Bruises” is the band’s eagerly awaited sophomore album after “It Won’t Always Be Like This” debuted at No. 1 in both the UK and Irish Official Charts. “It Won’t Always Be Like This” put INHALER on the map — the album made the band the first Irish group to top the album charts with a debut in 13 years and it became the fastest-selling debut album on vinyl by any band this century.

In an interview with Billboard, the band said they never really expected their pandemic-produced first album to be No. 1 but that they learned a lot during the process.

“We’re not like idols,” singer-guitarist Elijah Hewson said to Billboard. “We’re still very kind of freaked out that this has even happened.”

Press photo sourced externally

Coming into the second album, the band played with the intention of “[letting] the songs breathe a bit.” Hewson, bassist Robert Keating, guitarist Josh Jenkinson, and drummer Ryan McMahon pull off just that. The result is an airy and groovy coming of age album that seamlessly moves between indie, rock and pop.

The INHALER crew has been playing together since their early teens, and “Cuts & Bruises” is the result of a longtime friendship. The album was produced by longtime collaborator Antony Genn, a British musician and composer, and shows the growth of the band since “It Won’t Always Be Like This.”

The two singles, “These Are The Days” and “Love Will Get You There,” have already been well-received, with the former painting a picture of young adulthood that anyone can appreciate.

Photo by Lewis Evans

The band toured America prior to the album, and came home with a new appreciation for Bob Dylan, The Band and Bruce Springsteen. These inspirations culminated into “If You’re Going to Break My Heart,” an electra-Americana style song that blends American country music with bedroom pop to guide Hewson’s emotional plea.

“Dublin in Ecstasy” is exceptional throughout, ending in a killer performance from Jenkinson and Keating — a fan favorite the band finally recorded in studio, and for good reason. “Now You Got Me” showcases Hewson and Jenkinson’s powerful dynamic as the two guitarists carry the album home, resulting in an almost 1975-gone-pop-punk style.

As a whole, the guitar-heavy “Cuts & Bruises” is a well-done portrait of the band’s deep connection and collective musical talent.

Rating: 7.7/10

Top Songs: Dublin in Ecstasy, Now You Got Me, Valentine