Inhaler Embraces their Struggles with Fame in New Single “Falling In”
Following their massive rise to fame last year, Ireland’s hottest indie rock group, Inhaler, released their latest single “Falling In” on May 20th. As always, the group did not disappoint.
The track details the struggles each band member has had to endure with their egos as they have risen into the spotlight in the United Kingdom and Ireland predominantly, as well as around the world over the past year—an admirably mature topic for a group of four 20-year-olds to collectively tackle before their debut album is even released.
The Dublin foursome is composed of singer and rhythm guitarist Elijah Hewson—the son of world-renowned vocalist Bono from the ‘80s rock group U2—lead guitarist and keyboardist Josh Jenkinson, bassist Robert Keating, and drummer Ryan McMahon.
The indie rockers formed the band in 2012 after befriending each other in school. They spent the ensuing years performing for friends, family, and locals in their school talent shows and at pubs.
However, 2019 saw Inhaler break into the music scene at full speed with the release of three already classic singles, “It Won’t Always Be Like This,” “My Honest Face,” and “Ice Cream Sundae,” which instantly caught the attention of the press, bands, and record labels across the United Kingdom and Ireland.
Last year, which the Dubliners have credited as the best year of their lives, saw the group sign their first record deal with Polydor Records, support rock legend Noel Gallagher and popular indie rock group Blossoms on their respective tours. They then went on to headline their first tours of the UK and Ireland, as well as Europe. They, of course, have even been compared to the likes of U2 due their ‘80s sound and Hewson’s beautiful and powerful voice which sounds almost identical to his father’s.
After taking all of this into account, it’s no wonder why the group has struggled with their egos and has decided to address it in a song.
The track begins with a simple repeating guitar riff every couple beats backed by an arpeggiating synthesizer and steady drum beat before Hewson’s vocals kick in—an intro admittedly similar to The Kinks’ 1964 hit “You Really Got Me.”
In the first verse, Hewson immediately informs his audience that Inhaler is on their way to the top as he depicts the arrogance and self-obsession that comes with fame, singing: “My oh my / When you talk to the ceiling / You talk to yourself / What a glorious feeling / Man, I like it a lot / Can’t tell me to stop / When I’m on my throne.”
Musically, the song changes as the verse transitions into the chorus, and the drums and bass disappear as Jenkinson’s guitar and keyboard simultaneously crescendo for two measures before the rest of the instruments return louder and heavier than before—an allusion to Inhaler’s own rise to bigger and better things.
Keeping with this theme, the 20-year-old singer admits in the chorus he is “falling in” love with the band’s newly-achieved fame and tells the listener “you don’t know what you’re missing.” He concludes the chorus by stating “I could be one of those guys”— assumedly a rockstar like his father or the members of the ‘80s bands who greatly influence the foursome’s musical style, such as Joy Division, New Order, The Stone Roses, Happy Mondays, and The La’s.
However, the track’s theme seemingly changes in the second verse to the band’s challenge with their egos as Hewson compares fame to “a shot in the chest” that is “compromising [his] health.”
This back-and-forth battle with his ego is most evident in the refrain as the young Irishman explains his contrasting emotions, singing: “You wanna be easy / You wanna relax / You wanna come closer / You wanna go back / And they think you’re crazy / They don’t understand / You wanna get over / Hold my hand.”
Hewson finally gives into his ego at the 2:21 mark as the mood changes to a slow falling sensation. As he is “falling in,” the frontman admits he is “barely holding on” and is being broken apart by his inner struggle with fame which “just can’t stop.”
The tempo turns around again 30 seconds later with a driving Jenkinson guitar solo, and the song concludes with a repeat of the refrain.
If this is the quality of songwriting we will see on their upcoming debut album, Inhaler is destined for superstardom. The band is set to headline a North American tour in September, and I can’t say there is a band in the world I’m more excited to see and follow in the coming years than Inhaler. As long as they manage to control their egos, I’m positive they could be one of the greatest bands of our generation.