Inhaler Find Their Stride with “Hole in the Ground”
Photo Credit: Lewis Evans
From the very first notes of “Hole in the Ground,” Inhaler makes it clear that this is no ordinary single. It’s a confident, wide leap forward that manages to feel both intimate and massive at once. Following their 2025 record Open Wide, which saw the band pushing into new sonic territory, this track feels like the sound of a group fully hitting their stride. It’s bold without being brash, and emotionally rich without tipping into melodrama.
The song opens with glistening guitar lines and a heartbeat-like steady rhythm section that sets an expressive tone. There’s a spaciousness to the production that gives every instrument room to breathe while still building towards something anthemic. Frontman Eli Hewson’s vocals are in top form, very clear, expressive, and tinged with just enough melancholy to ground the soaring melody. When he leans into the chorus, it feels like he’s reaching for something beyond himself, a yearning that’s both deeply personal and effortlessly universal.
Lyrically, “Hole in the Ground” explores familiar Inhaler themes of letting go and the bittersweet ache of memories. But there’s a sense of clarity and self-assurance here that sets it apart from their earlier work. The track was produced by Grammy-winner Kid Harpoon at Abbey Road Studios, and that collaboration shines through. The production has a pristine polish, yet it never loses the raw pulse that makes Inhaler such an exciting band to listen to. The balance between emotional honesty and sonic sophistication is what makes the song so addictive, and it’s as introspective as it is built for festival stages.
What’s perhaps most impressive about “Hole in the Ground” is how effortlessly it bridges worlds. It’s nostalgic yet forward-looking, heartfelt yet unashamedly ambitious. The guitars shimmer with a kind of cinematic brightness, the drums drive forward with purpose, and the bass gives the whole thing a warm, grounded weight. It’s easy to imagine the track filling arenas, but it’s just as easy to picture it soundtracking a late-night walk with headphones on. That duality, the personal and the communal, is Inhaler’s sweet spot, and they absolutely nail it on this track.
Ultimately, “Hole in the Ground” is the sound of a band stepping confidently into their next chapter. It’s uplifting, expansive, and full of emotional resonance, the kind of song that feels destined to become a fan favorite. There’s a spark of magic in its balance between melancholy and euphoria, between youthful longing and mature reflection. If this is the direction Inhaler is heading in, they’re not just digging deeper; they're reaching higher than they ever have before.
