Inhaler - 'It Won't Always Be Like This' Album Review

Irish rock band Inhaler were formed in 2012, however only got their name in 2015. The band was formed in Dublin whilst the members were still just teenagers in school, consisting of vocalist/guitarist Elijah Hewson, bassist Robert Keating, guitarist Josh Jenkinson and drummer Ryan McMahon.

The band were tipped for success in 2020 when they ranked at number 5 in BBC's Sound of... music poll. Inhaler have released nine singles. Their debut album, 'It Won't Always Be Like This', was released on 9 July 2021. It entered the Irish Albums Chart at number one, it also entered the top 10 and top 20 album charts in other European countries such as the Netherlands and Germany. It entered the UK Album Chart at number one.

The album begins with the titular track, It Won't Always Be Like This, which is a vibrant piece of music which hyptonises the listener into moving along with it, and tempts them into falling in love with the incredible lyrics, and the powerful but not overpowering guitar. It is a song without low points, and just seems to keep climbing to new heights. It is also a really apt and poigniant message, and one that is not shared enough. The song is a bold statement and would be an excellent addition to any EP or album, but truly sets the tone for a brilliant album overall.

My Honest Face is energetic and totally exciting. The bass drum which overpowers everything else in a staccato beat every few bars makes for a really great rhythm and memorable song.

Slide Out The Window is much calmer than the previous two songs, and is hazy and dreamlike. It sounds completely like summer 2021, without sounding like the rest of the mainstream slop that is churned out a sickening rate these days. It's unique and totally new, and is an early example on the album of the pure genius that is Inhaler.

The lyrics of track four, Cheer Up Baby, are quite clever and give an uplifting and reliable message. The song itself is relatable for a lot of people and is one of my favourites on the album because of how easy it is to fit in with the song and feel as though it has been written for you.

Whilst A Night On The Floor has what feels like an incredibly long instrumental introduction, it is actually not the longest on the album. It is slightly boring, but once Hewson's romantic-sounding vocals kick in, there is a kaleidoscopic feeling to the song. However, the song seems to be working its way up to an apex that it never reaches, and for this reason it sounds somewhat eclectic, and boring in places such as the beginning, as previously mentioned.

My King Will Be Kind is an awesome, bluesy number which is full of character and a really classy sound that once again demonstrates the kind of musicianship which Inhaler has. It is not often that a band can combine so many genres into one song and have it work whilst also keeping the song quite interesting, but here Inhaler have succeeded. It shows an incredible potential for them in the future. Musically, it is rich and exciting, and quite sumptuous. This is simply my favourite track on the album because of how unique it is.

A super fun song on It Won't Always Be Like This is the seventh track, titled When it Breaks. In terms of the music, it is quite exciting, but the vocals in parts drone on a little bit, and don't totally fit, however there are moments of utter perfection that will draw you back in again and again. When It Breaks is somehow a successful song despite the slight imperfections, and the imperfections in places have made the song better overall because they have shown that Inhaler can make mistakes (not that they've made many with this album), but they can correct them within seconds of making them and use them to their advantage.

Who's Your Money On? is incredible. I danced around my room for the entire thing, and I am sure that you will, too. It's funky, and takes away your responsibilities. I hope it gets the recognition that it deserves and goes mainstream, or as mainstream as possible, because I can see it appealing to such a wide audience and Inhaler deserve an incredibly large audience for their music because I do believe it would appeal to the majority of people. Who's Your Money On? is an infection that you'll be pleased to get.

Totally is Inhaler taking a leap into the unknown, and it pays off. The track is a total gem, with a catchy rhythm and a classy piano appearance - is there nothing this band can't do!?

Perhaps the echoing thought of all, (what a) Strange Time To Be Alive is something that I myself have certainly thought since the UK first went into lockdown in March 2020. It is a somewhat haunting song, and the most ballad-like on the album. It's quite short, which leaves the listener hungry for more. It is a wind down to what has been an amazing debut album.

The final track, In My Sleep, is, a perfect end to a great album just as the title track was a perfect beginning. It gives the message that the band's debut album is not the end but just the beginning. The vocals are so incredibly powerful, and by the end of In My Sleep, the audience is desperate for more. I went back to the beginning and listened the whole way through again.

It Won't Always Be Like This is a really promising debut album and is full of energy and passion. To me, it is the sound of a generation and of all that is popular right now without sounding like everything else out, and I am hugely excited to see what comes next - INHALER CANNOT LEAVE IT HERE!