“Cuts & Bruises”: New album by Inhaler: With love to the goal

“Cuts & Bruises”
New album by Inhaler: With love to the goal

In general, the guys from Inhaler look healthy and safe. The “Cuts & Bruises” (“scratches & bruises”), after which the young Irishmen named their second album, are more of a spiritual nature. On the post-pandemic mammoth tour with their album “It Won’t Always Be Like This” and when working in the studio, the band went through some deep valleys, say the cool and charismatic singer Elijah Hewson (23) and the humorous bass player Robert Keating (22).

Now that the new album is out and their next tour – partly supporting the Arctic Monkeys – will take them to the next bigger venues, they’re fit and ready. Hewson, Keating and guitarist Josh Jenkinson (23) and drummer Ryan McMahon (23) were able to take a deep breath, now it should go to the top.

“We had a few quirks, we were all burned out at different moments. Our friendship has been through a lot,” says Hewson, handing his hair thoughtfully. “But we didn’t fall apart.”

“Cuts & Bruises” is a more serious album

After the very optimistic title of the debut and the wish that things won’t stay the way they are forever, “Cuts & Bruises” is more serious. More mature and calmer, but not without the well-known restless energy. The single “Love Will Get You There” is programmatic, says Hewson. “We can’t stop talking and singing about love getting us there.” That also worked for the Beatles.

Inhaler clearly doesn’t shy away from comparisons with living legends. The musicians have been listening to Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen a lot lately – and were delighted when Coldplay singer Chris Martin tweeted that one of his favorite songs while working in the studio was Inhaler’s “Totally”. “But why this song?,” says Hewson, laughing. “Sometime I have to ask him about it.”

Inhaler as support for Harry Styles

In any case, there is a common denominator. Coldplay opened for another Irish band, U2 at the legendary Slane Castle north of Dublin in 2001 as a newcomer. This summer, Inhaler will perform there, in front of 80,000 people – as support for superstar Harry Styles.

Speaking of U2: More relaxed than usual, they talk about their singer’s rock star genes – Hewson is Bono’s son. When choosing the eleven tracks, the band followed advice from the U2 frontman. “I’ve never done that in an interview,” says Hewson, “but I’ll quote my father: “You fight about bad songs, you fight about good songs too. But when it comes to great pieces, everyone always agrees. Take those.””

A noble claim. But Inhaler is very aware of the dreams and plans. “You always have to want to aim for the top,” Keating recently told the New Musical Express (NME) for a cover story. “We’re not here to be a mediocre festival band. If you get stuck, you die along the way.”

New Inhaler record is melodic and liberating

“Cuts & Bruises” was recorded primarily in London, again with producer Antony Genn (Pulp, Robbie Williams, Elastica). The first single “These Are The Days” is a good foretaste of what the new record is all about – melodic and catchy, danceable, liberating. Tracks like “If You’re Gonna Break My Heart”, “Now You Got Me Where You Want Me” and “Perfect Storm” also impressively demonstrate the school the four Dubliners went through – with Talking Heads, Joy Division and the Manic Street Preachers for inspiration.

“More mature and above all more honest and realistic” is the group, says Hewson. Keating emphasizes, “We’re not a ‘new’ band anymore.” With that comes more responsibility. “We keep our feet on the ground, don’t throw crazy parties or get drunk no matter the cost,” says the bassist. “If we can’t perform the next day, or if we get injured – then none of our crew members earn any money either.” And the fans? They owe them a great live show, think Inhaler. With an “outrageously shiny record” (NME) in your luggage, it should work.

dpa