By: Erik DeFruscio
Mike Kruger, Kiliyan Maguire, and Karnig Manoukian left their hometown of London, England to engage in the rock n’ roll scene of Los Angeles. Since then, the threesome known as Charming Liars have released an EP that requires serious attention.
12:31 details everything there is about heartbreak, love, and hopeful new relationships with ballads, swarming synths, and an electric guitar that keeps your heart beating.
Their newly minted video for their single “Soul” details two men living in different cities trying to make amends with their assumed girlfriends. The only difference between these guys and any other love-scorned dude is that they have supernatural powers that enable them to break through the obstacles that arise.
The track itself starts off with a soft melody before bursting into the lyric, “You’ve got SOUL!” followed by, “You’ve gotta slide through the fire/ burn out the lights/hold on to hold on to something true.” A song that empowers the listener through its lyrics, light guitar chords, and strong drum beats.
As the album continues, it’s clear that Charming Liars heavily convey those feeling of loss while alluding to the turmoil and highs of relationships. In the track “Outta My Head” the lyrics play off lust rather than love. “I really don’t mind /and I really don’t care /that we were building something toxic before.” The drums and electric guitar again take center stage during this song, building up the lyrics more with each verse. “You’ve got me runnin’ outta my head,” isn’t just vocalized, but it’s felt as many people can relate to loving something that drives them crazy.
“Burning Me Out” begins with the sound of a dripping faucet and soon turns into an electric guitar, setting the pace for the sad love ballad. Next, horns introduce the lyrics “My head feels like a car crash/ heart still in the wreckage.” A poetic introduction to a love cry detailed by the lines, “I hope you never feel like I do, I would never want that for you/now you gotta hear the hardest sound of me/walking away/ all you really gotta know is I held on for you.” Anyone who has ever been through heartbreak, this one is penned for you. Each beat of the drums can be interpreted as another footstep taken further away.
Mike, Kiliyan, and Karnig all seem to be well versed in the subject of love and heartbreak, which for the first time is actually a good thing. They communicate their feelings to listener by focusing on their impactful lyrics and less emphasized instrumentals (although their electric guitar, drums, and synth bring a lot of power too).
So whether you’re in the mood for love, or want a powerful new anthem to get over your ex, Charming Liars are the band to give it to you.
12:31 is out on iTunes now.
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