Cuts & Bruises is an album by Irish band, Inhaler. Originating from Dublin, Ireland, Inhaler, formed in 2012, consists of the following members: lead vocalist and guitarist, Elijah Hewson, bassist Robert ‘Bobby’ Keating, guitarist Josh Jenkinson, and drummer Ryan McMahon. The band’s debut album ‘It Won’t Always Be Like This’ was released on July 9, 2021, and their second studio album ‘Cuts & Bruises’ was released on February 17, 2023. This review will be about my favorite songs in their second album and why you should give the band a listen.
My number one favorite song from this album would have to be, ‘Love Will Get You There’. I have to say I’ve listened to it a thousand times at this point because it is just simply that good. In an ‘Atwood Magazine’ article, the song was described as a “no-nonsense message about embracing love.” The comment is genuinely spot on. Lyrics from the song consist of Hewson repeating, “You’ve got to slow down, my friend. Love will get you there. It’s gonna get you there.” Elijah Hewson’s vocals with the band’s indie rock feeling is just genuinely heaven. This is the song that is most definitely going to be my number one played on Spotify Wrapped in December.
The second song from this album that is lucky enough to make it to this article is ‘These Are the Days’. Personally, this song is just so youthful. I genuinely feel as if the band was telling us, as a younger audience, to cherish these days because they’re the only ones we’re going to get. My favorite line from this song is when Hewson says, “These are the days that follow you home. These are the days that kiss you on your broken nose.” What the first half means to me is that these are the days that you’ll cherish and always think about; the meaning of the second half is that these are the moments that you think about when you’re going through a rough patch. The kiss means that the “rough patch” is a recognition for all of the things that you’ve accomplished. ‘These Are the Days’ is genuinely to be one of those songs that they put in coming-of-age movies, and if someone doesn’t do it, I will.
The third and final song of this article is ‘If You’re Gonna Break My Heart’. I interpreted this song as meaning if you’re going to hurt me or do something to hurt me, then do it quick and easy, no sugarcoating. Hewson says, “If you’re gonna break my heart. Smash it to pieces, ‘cause I’m not gonna need it.” What he seems to suggest is that he’s just ready to move on from this heartbreak as quickly as possible. He also tells the person to “Just do it right.” In other words, he’s just trying to be as authentic and true as possible. This is my breakup anthem right here.
This is only three out of eleven songs. My review is just my personal interpretations and opinions on the songs. The reason behind my choosing these three specific songs was just that I genuinely felt something while listening to them, and I’m sure many people feel too. You can find the ‘Cuts & Bruises’ album on any streaming platform. Go listen and really feel the deeply touching lyrics of ‘Cuts & Bruises’.
