Quarantunes: A playlist by Charming Liars

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Charming Liars

The pandemic torched Charming Liars’ 2020 touring plans but they’re still busy — the L.A. trio has released four new singles already this year. Hear them in today’s QUARANTUNES, along with how the break has rekindled singer Kiliyan Maguire’s creative fires, and his playlist of old vs. new.

THE LATEST FROM CHARMING LIARS

Charming Liars, the L.A.-based trio of Kiliyan Maguire, Karnig Manoukian and Mike Kruger, deal in widescreen, emotional pop-rock with surging choruses and refined production. The London-born band had a huge 2019 — they released their debut album “Thought, Flesh and Bone,” followed up with a stripped-down EP “Bare Bones” and finished with a live album, “Live in 2019,” culling highlights from nine different tour stops in the U.S. and Europe. The coronavirus pandemic put the kibosh on their touring plans so far this year, but Charming Liars haven’t let up on the gas. They’ve already released four singles; the latest, “Flames,” comes with a nifty video illustrated by Esmay Luck. The video for “Golden State,” directed by Mike Kruger and released in March, is a love letter to L.A., where the trio is trying to hold steady during the lockdown.

HOW ARE YOU HOLDING UP AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO MANAGE THE ‘STAY AT HOME’ EDICT?

Kiliyan Maguire: Honestly, during the first few weeks I kind of took a break from music. It was the first time in years that I didn’t think about writing music or getting ready to go out on the road. I took time to catch up on some books, and I’m pleased to say after 27 years on this planet I actually learned how to play chess. I was slightly concerned that by taking a break I would lose some of my creativity, but honestly it’s had the reverse effect. Since I started working on new music a few weeks ago I’ve found that the ideas have been coming a lot more fluidly and I’m enjoying the process a lot more.

WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO WHEN THIS IS OVER?

Kiliyan Maguire: Getting back on the road and playing live!

ANYTHING WE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THIS PLAYLIST?

Kiliyan Maguire: It’s a mix of classics along with some shimmering newer artists that I really dig. All of these bands/artists/songs have been the greatest roommates and loudest distractions a guy could ask for.