The alternative rock genre is a constantly growing and evolving subgenre of rock music, and two artists have begun to establish themselves as its next stars. The albums “Open Wide” and “People Watching” by Inhaler and Sam Fender, respectively, redefine the ever-evolving alt-rock genre. Both artists show growth in their new releases; Inhaler experiments with new styles while Sam Fender brings his lyrical storytelling to a whole new level. 

The rock powerhouses were tasked with bringing something new to their discography, as these records are both Fender’s and Inhaler’s third studio albums. Inhaler showed off their improved songwriting abilities while completing the intimidating task of developing their signature sound. The band stayed true to their rock roots in their prior two albums. Songs like “It Won’t Always Be Like This” and “My Honest Face” established them as more than nepotism babies, as Elijah Hewson, the band’s lead singer and son of U2’s Bono, stepped out from behind his father’s shadow. In their second record, the band moved away from their “teenage dirtbag” image, crafting a more mature rock album about the complexities of growing older, falling in love and touring together. 

“Open Wide” shows how much more the band has grown since their sophomore album, “Cuts & Bruises,” released in early 2023. Hewson’s vocals command the attention of listeners while the combined sound of Robert Keating on bass, Josh Jenkinson on guitar and Ryan McMahon on drums keep us bopping our heads to the whole album. Every song is unique; in “Billy (Yeah Yeah Yeah),” Hewson’s lilting vocals lure listeners to a fun, energetic chorus. “Even Though” has a vague disco sound, while the haunting guitar riff in “X-Ray” immediately reminded me of Hozier’s “It Will Come Back.” Inhaler allowed themselves to experiment, bringing newfound confidence to “Open Wide,” a refreshing addition to the alt-rock genre. 

Sam Fender’s album, “People Watching,” was released on Feb. 21 (a week after “Open Wide”), brings a different energy to the alternative rock landscape. While both artists’ first albums were emotionally volatile stories of young adulthood, Fender’s third album veers in a different direction than Inhaler’s. In his first album, “Hypersonic Missiles,” Fender hid concerns about the chaotic state of the world behind loud guitar riffs similar to 80s rock songs. Similarly, in “Seventeen Going Under,” from Fender’s sophomore album by the same name, he sings of his struggles growing up in poverty, surrounded by violence and anger. 

In “People Watching,” Fender takes a more refined approach to airing his grievances with the world, especially in the song “Something Heavy.” This song perfectly encapsulates the entire album, standing out against the arguably bleak story being told by Fender. It’s upbeat, but the lyrics illustrate the many “heavy” things people deal with, creating a compelling visual of the universal burdens that come with life. Fender’s lyrics pack an emotional punch that creates a memorable album when combined with the carefully mixed backing vocals, acoustics and at least one signature saxophone solo. 

Inhaler and Sam Fender proved they earned their success with each of their third studio albums. “Open Wide” illustrated Inhaler’s ability to branch out past their original grunge sound. Fender took “People Watching” in a slightly different direction, focusing on high production value in order to match his growing success. By experimenting and incorporating other styles of music into their individual sounds, both artists continue to develop the alternative rock sub-genre and bring new listeners to a deserving style of music.