Cuts & Bruises

Cuts & Bruises - Inhaler

by Genevieve Sime

Inhaler's second studio album, “Cuts & Bruises,” showcases the Dublin-based bands growth and maturity in the alternative rock scene. The album packs a punch with its dynamic sound and introspective lyricism, presenting the listener with a captivating combination of wistful nostalgia and hope for the future.

The opening track, “Just to Keep You Satisfied,” provides a gripping start to the album, imploring if a desire is enough to enact change. It asks the listener if wanting to change, for oneself, for another, or for the world is sufficient in a life teeming with challenges. Frontman Elijah Hewson's vocals effortlessly guide the listener through a rollercoaster of emotions, capturing both the angst and optimism of youth.

“These are the Days,” the single for the album, sets a tone of rejuvenation with its catchy beat and Hewson’s charismatic delivery shining throughout. The track works to capture the energy of rebuilding fun times, and that glowing feeling that appears when life seems like it’s knitting itself back together. In contrast with much of the rest of the record, “These are the Days,” provides a stark burst of pure excitement and optimism. 

Throughout the album, the intricacies of a sporadic relationship are woven through the lyrics, sometimes simply as background notes for a song's larger message, and other times at the very forefront of the track. The on and off, the desire to both improve and to go back in time, and all the while being unable to pull the two together into something tangible is expressed in a poignant snapshot of nostalgia. With lyrics like “I can see the city in the glass of your eye/When you take your shot/I’ll be there this time,” combined with Hewson’s bittersweet vocals, the listener is achingly immersed into a musician's grasp at catharsis.

The closing track of the record, “Now You Got Me,” lives up to its role in the album, serving as an all encompassing finale that provides closure and resonates with the listener. The song supplies a sense of devotion amongst an album full of conflicting emotions and forked roads. It’s the conclusion that all the tracks lead up to, tying together the thematic threads woven throughout the album. The track becomes a statement, drawing the listener in to the conclusion that the musicians themselves have made throughout the creation of this album, and encouraging listeners to make their own as well.

"Cuts & Bruises" not only cements Inhaler's place in the indie rock scene, but also hints at a promising future. The album showcases the band's ability to navigate a spectrum of emotions while maintaining a cohesive and signature sound. With this release, Inhaler proves they are a force to be reckoned with, offering a refreshing take on the complexities of youthful experience in an ever changing world.