British artist Declan McKenna has been at the forefront of modern music for some time now. His first album What Do You Think About the Car? features songs included on every 2017 indie playlist, and Zeros has rocked summer festivals years after its release. Now that he’s figured out what happened to the car he can’t help but wonder, What Happened to the Beach? The result: a beautiful fever dream of diversified sound. McKenna leads us into a new sonic world, and I, for one, am glad to be invited.

Leading track “WOBBLE” features catchy guitar strumming, a groovy beat, and McKenna’s vocals echoing “I used to cry at home all night / Now I’m out in the sunshine,” setting the tone perfectly. He is opening himself up in a way never heard before. One of the many singles “Elevator Hum” continues this type of messaging saying, “I want you to be free / To be happy.” McKenna’s bubbling positivity is utterly contagious.

In traditional Declan McKenna fashion, “I Write the News” touches on British issues like inflation and high crime rate. Although McKenna isn’t a self-titled political artist, social awareness is a lyrical staple — his most popular song “Brazil” unpacking the inherent corruption that accompanied the country’s decision to host the 2014 FIFA World Cup despite rampant poverty. McKenna wrote the song when he was just 16 years old — now, at 25, his unwavering condemnation of injustice is encouraging to see.

Among a string of singles, “Sympathy” holds a special place in my heart. As the leading album single, this was released in early July of last year. Although I was wary upon first listen, hearing the song live at a Lollapalooza Aftershow had me sold. In reference to the music video, a fan threw a paper mache seagull on stage which McKenna gloriously held up in true “Lion King” fashion. If this wasn’t enough, hearing it on the Bacardi stage at the actual festival sealed the deal. The performance was high energy and fun, exactly what McKenna’s music is all about. “Mulholland's Dinner and Wine,” a personal favorite, and “Nothing Works” further prove that McKenna can consistently make bangers.

Continuing through the tracklist, “Honest Test” is utterly groovy and concludes with drums that rival “Danger Zone.” “Mezzanine” sounds like a song you listen to driving a car with the windows down in early August, a scene I will absolutely recreate come the summer. “It’s an Act” is a lyrical standout saying, “It’s always like you to sing the happiest song” and “It’s not like you to mention how you feel.” While McKenna sings passionately, he does not usually write personal and emotional songs. Seemingly self-reflective, this song is refreshing to hear. Rounding out the album, “4 More Years” sounds like you’re sitting in a church pew while a choir of McKennas serenade you. It’s weird and I love it.

As a listener, it’s heartwarming to actually hear when the artist is having fun making the music. In each and every moment of What Happened to the Beach? McKenna is having an absolute blast. While the tracks feel slightly too disconnected at points, this album is truly a musical mosaic. What is lost in audible commonality is recovered in thematic continuity. McKenna’s fans have grown up alongside him, and they should not be surprised his sound is also developing. This album is eclectic and free, and I cannot wait to see where McKenna goes from here.

Declan McKenna gets weird on What Happened to the Beach?

While the weather has been cooling down here in Boston, Sun Room’s surf rock songs warmed up Tuesday night at the Royale. A raucous crowd of the band’s Boston friends crowd surfed and moshed throughout the entire set, giving the music the energy it deserves.

Since the last time I had the pleasure of seeing Sun Room, the band has undergone some reconstruction. Former drummer Gibby Anderson departed the band to pursue his solo music, but Sun Room did not skip a beat. Tommy Rhodes steps in on the drums and the rest of the band holds strong: Luke Asgian on lead vocals and guitar, Max Pinamonti on bass, and Ashton Minnich on guitar.

English rock band Sports Team kicked off the night with a high energy set. With a six-person crew, the band sang about their time across the pond. “M5” talks about the titular motorway that goes throughout London, and “Fishing” is about hanging out with your friends and fishing in the River Thames. In between songs, Rice and his jarring accent gives a thankful speech about the friendship bracelets he’s received from fans throughout the tour thus far. Rounding out the set, they played one of my personal favorites “Here’s the Thing,” which discusses the hypocrisies of life: “(Here’s the thing) Everything in life is fair and that’s the rules / It’s all just lies, lies, lies, lies.” 

As the clock struck 9 P.M., the Sun Room boys began with the groovy “Just Yesterday.” “At Least I Tried,” the leading single off their upcoming EP, came next and outlines a week from hell. They crashed their car, slept through their alarm, lost their keys, and got their van towed, among other misfortunes, but at the very least they tried their best to get through the week. This song has a sentiment we can all relate to and a beat that you can’t help but dance to. 

Off their last EP, “Kaden’s Van,” about their tour photographer, led the set’s first mosh pit and a string of unreleased songs commonly found in a Sun Room set. This includes “Sunset Blvd,” which they’ve been playing since I first saw the band open for Louis Tomlinson in February 2022, and “Kickin Rocks,” a personal favorite from this set. It is in these moments when the roots of the band become crystal clear: They were born from the simple idea of some friends wanting to play music together. The DIY and house show scene is where they honed their craft and found their iconic grunge rock sound. 

“Sunset Garage” and “Outta Their Minds” appeared back to back in the set and initiated a notable burst of energy from the crowd. I’ve heavily anticipated both songs and they most definitely did not disappoint. “Sunset Garage” talks about falling in love with a car mechanic, and while not a widely shared story, that chorus gets stuck in your head after every listen. “Outta Their Minds” featured a crowd surf, and while frightening at times, was a proper response for the titular song off their EP released earlier this year. 

After a brief break for Pinamonti to recite the alphabet backwards, as requested by Asgian, they continued with more unreleased and familiar favorites. The set was rounded out with “Summer’s Here,” a bitter one to hear during October in New England, and “Something That You’re Missing,” which features a nice back-and-forth moment with Minnich and Pinamonti where both shred on their respective instruments. The boys then swiftly left the stage. 

​​Fans shouted, “one more song!” as the stage was left blank. Answering their prayers, the boys came back and played the storming “Cadillac” to close off the evening. Not a single soul in the Royale that Tuesday night could deny bobbing their heads to that beat.

Whenever there is an opportunity to see Sun Room in my area, I immediately jump at the chance, and not once have I ever regretted seeing them live. They bring youthful energy and pure fun to the stage and clearly have some of today’s leading artists on their side. 

If Louis Tomlinson believes in someone, I do too.

Sun Room brings the SoCal heat to Boston

Among the masses of bar hoppers decked out in green that dominated the Fenway neighborhood this past weekend, fans lined up in front of the House of Blues for the indie-rock band Inhaler, based in Dublin. Fans dawned cowboy hats adorned with various references, like “Boston in Ecstasy,” a pun on the band’s song “Dublin in Ecstasy.” 

Recently, Inhaler has risen in popularity, experiencing a new wave of fans since the release of their sophomore album 

released last month. School friends turned bandmates, the band is comprised of Elijah Hewson (lead vocals and guitar), Robert Keating (bass), Josh Jenkinson (guitar), and Ryan McMahon (drums).

Southern California natives Sun Room kicked the show off, filling the room with their 60’s inspired surf rock sound. With Luke Asgian on lead vocals and guitar, Max Pinamonti on bass, Ashton Minnich on guitar, and Gibby Anderson on drums, the boys brought the summer heat to a chilly March night. The band sang hits including “Crashed My Bike,” featured in the second season of the Netflix show “Outer Banks,” “Sol Del Sur,” and “Cadillac,” the lead single off their new EP 

. Concert-goers typically exhibit significantly more enthusiasm for the headliners, but the energy in the room was electric - fans shook the floor as they danced to the addictive sound and passionately sang along. Although their set was only around 35 minutes long, Sun Room was a tough act to follow.

At 9 p.m., without saying a word, the Inhaler boys began their set with “These Are The Days,” the lead single off of 

True to their lyrics, “these are the days that follow you home,” the single gave a perfect taste of the 90 minute set ahead.

 They charged through with fan favorites from their first album, including “My Honest Face,” a single released initially in 2019 then again in 2021 after melodic and lyrical adjustment. “Just To Keep You Satisfied,” the 

 opener, was one of the songs I was most excited for as it quickly became one of our favorites off the new album. The repetitive “la’s” of the chorus were even more fun live; an easy lyric for those who’ve never heard the song before to catch on to. To state it simply, I was not disappointed by the live rendition.

In true St. Patrick’s Day fashion, Boston became one of the lucky cities who experienced “The Things I Do” live – a fan favorite yet inconsistent part of the set list. The fans’ screams after the first couple notes should be proof enough that the song deserves to be a setlist staple.

Next, Jenkinson switched out his electric guitar for an acoustic one, the only time in the show it happened, in preparation for “My King Will Be Kind.” Known for the iconic lyric “I f***ing hate that b***h,” the instrumentals and vocals cut out during the second verse, allowing fans to release any pent up emotions.

“Love Will Get You There” was another tune I was especially excited for, as it was the song that truly made me a fan of theirs. As the second single from the new album, its catchy chorus and uplifting lyrics perfectly encapsulates Inhaler’s sound.

One of the things that drew me into the fandom is the unique way the band interacts with fans. Mid-show, Hewson made sure to keep fans entertained, asking what they got up to the previous night, “debauchery?” and suggesting McMahon do a backflip. The chemistry between the boys is undeniable, made obvious through the number of jokes they crack and the cowboy hats they tease one another with.

As McMahon hit his kick drum, fans knew exactly what song was next. “Who’s Your Money On” is a dance pop song from their debut album and a staple of their setlist, truly showcasing their range. During every live performance - whether headlining, supporting, or at a festival - Hewson makes the crowd jump to the beat. After about four minutes of pure energy, the drum beat stops and hypnotizing guitar fills its place, giving us a moment to catch our breath. The final two minutes of this song, called “Plastic House,” is always a beautiful moment in their live shows. Boston did not disappoint, as everyone turned on their phone flashlights and allowed for Hewson’s vocals to ring clear. The disco ball hanging above reflected the fan-made light and allowed for a bit of calm, a sharp juxtaposition from the energy seconds before.

“Cheer Up Baby,” a love letter to the fans, was the perfect message to follow the emotional lyrics from the song prior. Hewson sings, “Cheer up baby / you’re not on your own,” as the four boys exited the stage.

Cheers of “encore” quickly followed their departure, and after a couple minutes of anticipation and an outfit change by Hewson and Keating, they took the stage once again for their final two songs. “If You’re Gonna Break My Heart,” the third single on 

was first. An ode to the folk music they frequently find themselves enjoying during their North American tour, the song differs from their usual music, but was enjoyable nonetheless.

They closed with “It Won’t Always Be Like This”; a testament to the audience’s individual struggles and the perfect sentiment to wrap up an emotional roller coaster of a performance.

Overall, Inhaler sounded just as good live, arguably better, as they do on recording, and their high energy performance and infectious personalities made for a show like no other.

Kayla Anderson