Inhaler‘s newest single, “Open Wide,” is the second release from their upcoming album Open Wide, set for release on February 7. This track follows “Your House,” an indie rock/alternative song, but “Open Wide” showcases a very different musical direction for the band. This shift in sound raises excitement about what the rest of the upcoming album will bring. The single seems to reflect the band’s growth and their exploration of new genres. Lyrically, both songs touch on themes of guardedness and vulnerability, with “Open Wide” further emphasizing these feelings through its departure from the band’s usual sound.
Musically, the song features echoed synths, creating a shoegaze-inspired indie rock vibe that’s a departure from the band’s typical style. The track carries an ethereal atmosphere, which builds during the chorus with the driving drum melody. The opening guitar riff has a folk-like quality, though rougher, before the vocals enter with an urgent tone that reinforces the song’s theme.
Lyrically, the song has a repetitive structure, but this repetition underscores its central message. The bridge highlights this with the lyrics: “Love is a terror / Got my arms out open wide / Got my arms out open wide / Yeah, arms out open wide / Come on baby, take a look inside.” This suggests a sense of reassurance, offering your arms as a metaphorical safety net, ready to catch someone once their emotional walls come down.
Despite being nearly a five-minute song, the entire track is engaging from the musical production to the raw lyrics. Fans are in for a treat with the new sound but this also serves to garner the attention of some new listeners that might not immediately gravitate toward the more angsty indie rock genre.
