Review: Charming Liars Release Tourniquet Album

Charming Liars are out with their new album Tourniquet. In 2021 the band released two EPs Sequence 1: Noise Maker and Sequence 2: The After. Now they have taken both and combined them into one album with the addition of three more songs, “Left Behind”, “Wreck It All”, and “High”.

Charming Liars was formed when London guitarist Karnig Manoukian and bassist Mike Kruger relocated to Los Angeles in 2013 and hooked up with vocalist Kiliyan Maguire while attending the Musicians Institute in Hollywood. Since forming the band has released one studio album Thought, Flesh and Bone (2019), two live albums: Live 2019 (2019), Sounds of 2020 (2020) and five Eps: SEQUENCE 2: The After, Sequence 1: Noise Maker (2021), Bare Bones (2019), 12:31 AM (2016), Delete. Repeat (2015).

Artists can be inspired by many things including the loss of loved ones. Vocalist Maguire explores loss through different perspectives on the songs from The After EP. “Afterglow” expresses loss from the one left behind. The question is raised whether the two will ever meet again. It progresses through different stages of grief. “The Haunting” turns to the perspective of the one lost. The spirit lingers, longing to be reunited with the one left behind. “Beautiful Rose” is a somber acoustic song about lingering memories that won’t fade away.

Vocalist Kiliyan Maguire shares: “In 2021 I was faced with the passings of two very close people in my life and with those passings came a flood of questions pertaining to what happens after death. Our new E.P. “The After” really allowed me a place to grieve as well as explore the questions these passings brought with them. It’s the first concept piece we’ve ever constructed and I’m extremely proud as well as grateful for the healing process that this record brought with it.”

“When Did We”, “White Leather Electric Chair”, and “Pieces“ from the Noise Maker EP all possess a slightly different sound and vibe. The band brings back the new wave sound of the ‘80s with its characteristic electronic sounds. The tempo is little more upbeat than the songs from The After.

“Left Behind” is about navigating feelings of isolation. The band says “’Left Behind’ is a first person glimpse into struggle. It follows the mind as it navigates the cold trenches of mental warfare brought on by isolation and depression.”

“Wreck It All” is another song that has that new wave vibe. The band shares “’Wreck It All’ seemed like a no brainer for us to start the year. It has the energy to keep you moving all throughout and we it to be the perfect piece of music to introduce the final three songs of this chapter.”

Tourniquet is available now all streaming services. Charming Liars is also in the middle of a European tour.Check out tour dates below.

Charming Liars European Tour Dates

APR 9 – Muziekcentrum Trix – Antwerpen, Belgium
APR 10 – Bürgerhaus Stollwerck – Köln, Germany
APR 12 – Batschkapp – Frankfurt Am Main, Germany
APR 13 – Substage – Karlsruhe, Germany
APR 14 – LWL Industrial Museum Zeche Hannover – Bochum, Germany
APR 17 – Paradiso – Amsterdam, Netherlands
APR 18 – De Oosterpoort – White Da Groningen, Netherlands
APR 20 – Maassilo – Rotterdam, Netherlands
APR 21 – Muziekgieterij – Maastricht, Netherlands
APR 23 – Uebel & Gefährlich – Hamburg, Germany
APR 24 – Train – Århus C, Denmark
APR 25 – Berns – Stockholm, Sen
APR 27 – Helsinki Hall Of Culture – Helsinki, Finland
APR 29 – Pustervik – Göteborg, Sen
APR 30 – Vega – København, Denmark
MAY 2 – Metropol – Berlin, Germany
MAY 3 – Täubchenthal – Leipzig, Germany
MAY 4 – Progresja – Warsaw, Poland
MAY 5 – Lucerna Music Bar – Prague, Czech Republic
MAY 7 – Brauerei Ottakringer – Wien, Austria
MAY 8 – Neue Theaterfabrik – München, Germany
MAY 10 – Magazzini Generali – Milan, Italy
MAY 11 – Orion Live Club – Ciampino, Italy
MAY 13 – Sala Apolo – Barcelona, Spain
MAY 15 – Sala Capitol – Santiago De Compostela, Spain
MAY 16 – LAV – Lisboa Ao Vivo – Lisboa, Portugal
MAY 17 – Hard Club – Porto, Portugal
MAY 18 – Sala Live Madrid – Madrid, Spain
MAY 20 – Le Krakatoa – Mérignac, France
MAY 21 – Antipode Mjc – Rennes, France
MAY 22 – Le Grand Mix – Tourcoing, France
MAY 24 – Poppodium Twente | Metropool – Enschede, Netherlands
MAY 25 – Effenaar – Eindhoven, Netherlands
MAY 26 – den Atelier – Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
MAY 29 – The Grace – London, United Kingdom
MAY 31 – Manchester, United Kingdom