Inhaler - Open Wide
So, we’re pop now? Okay, great!
Dublin’s indie rock four-piece, Inhaler, returns with their third studio album, Open Wide. After successfully dodging the dreaded sophomore curse with Cuts & Bruises (2023), the band found their place in the alternative scene, gaining a solid fanbase and commercial success. Rather than playing it safe and doubling down on their familiar post-punk-infused indie rock sound, Inhaler took a bold turn.
On Open Wide, the band leans heavily into indie pop, a shift largely influenced by the album’s lead producer, Kid Harpoon. Best known for his Grammy-winning work on Harry’s House by Harry Styles, Harpoon’s signature style is distinctly polished and danceable—far from the raw energy of rock. This decision to evolve is commendable. Artistic stagnation is always a greater risk than taking creative chances, and even if the result isn’t universally well-received, the attempt itself is worth acknowledging.
Fortunately, Open Wide doesn’t fall flat. Instead, it presents a band growing alongside its audience, refining its songwriting and thematic approach. Inhaler still retains their signature playfulness—sometimes sarcastic, sometimes humorous—but their delivery feels more mature, even if not all lyrical moments land (or sometimes just don’t work at all—shit happens). The sincerity behind their choices, however, remains intact.
Clocking in at 50 minutes across 13 tracks, the album could have benefitted from a tighter tracklist. While no song is outright bad, the second half noticeably loses momentum. Standout tracks like Your House, Eddie In The Darkness, and the title track Open Wide showcase the album’s strengths early on. However, later songs such as The Charms and X-Ray feel somewhat redundant, making the record drag towards the end. Harpoon’s production excels in crafting tight, rhythm-driven music, but at times, it borders on self-repetition.
By the time Open Wide concludes, it doesn’t leave the listener in awe, but it does tell a story and offer some perspective on the band and their artistic evolution—they’re not 2000s Arctic Monkeys’ kids anymore. Now, they want Bowie and The Black Keys to be part of the mix of inspirations. It’s a well-executed, contemporary indie pop album that fits naturally into their discography, though it may not deliver any groundbreaking surprises.
7.0/10
