Lovespirals’ final single of 2025 finds them drifting into liminal territory with “Drift Begins.” Built around soft piano and ethereal pads, the track reaches back into Ryan Lum’s early ’90s sonic palette, with gentle acoustic guitar, chiming electric lines, and even the same vintage drum machine he used on his first few albums. The song’s stately 6/8 meter and misty lyrical imagery subtly echo the contemplative spirit of Pink Floyd’s 1972 song “Burning Bridges,” reflecting the duo’s longstanding affection for mid-period Floyd. While Ryan’s emotive, smoothly distorted, suspended solo inevitably recalls David Gilmour, Anji’s vocals also nod to that era, hovering between intimacy and reverie in luminous two-part harmony. Elsewhere, Anji’s high and low registers intertwine in a way that recalls the aching duality Rachel Goswell and Neil Halstead carried across both Slowdive and Mojave 3.
All posts by Anji
Life Goes On Music Video on YouTube
Lovespirals’ last full-length album Life Goes On came out seven years ago this month. Since then, we’ve really enjoyed focusing on singles so each song can have its own moment in the spotlight. I always hoped to create a full series of music videos for the album—like the ones we made for the early singles “Brother Against Brother” (2014) and “Heartstrings” (2016)—but somehow it never quite came together.
We shot some beautiful footage on Catalina Island for “Dark Night of the Soul” in 2018, and I even filmed material for “Are You Lonely” way back in 2014, but both projects sat unfinished until 2023. Then, while making a travel vlog in 2019, I spontaneously recorded myself singing the title track in our Las Vegas hotel room. I rediscovered that footage last year and cut together this laid-back, intimate little music video.
Not sure why I didn’t share it then—but here we are today!
Hope you enjoy this peek into the past.
We have copies of the 4-panel eco-wallet CD of Life Goes On available for sale on Bandcamp and would be happy to autograph a copy to you!
Chillin with Lovespirals 100th Episode: Without You & Band Anniversaries
Ryan & Anji are back with another jam-packed episode celebratting not only their brand new single, “Without You,” but also several band anniversaries! The duo’s 100th episode in the 20th year since its inception being one of the biggies. Lovespirals talk about the making of their new single, sharing behind the scenes stories of it’s inspiration, creation, and promotion, read and respond to listener comments, discuss their various anniversary milestones, and even get into how Ryan’s recording setup and process have evolved over the years.
You can subscribe to Chillin’ with Lovespirals on just about any podcast app like Apple, Spotify, Amazon, iHeart, Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Deezer, and JioSaavn. Or just listen to Chillin’ with Lovespirals: 100 in the player below!
Listen to “Chillin with Lovespirals 100: Without You” on Spreaker.
Karl Magi Reviews “Without You”
SynthWriter80s posted a review of Lovespirals’ latest single on his HubPage devoted to synth music. It reads in part:
“The song opens with Ryan Lum’s guitar ringing with soothing smoothness and Anji Bee’s voice wrapping around me like a satin sheet. The beat is elegantly smooth… while the guitar echoes with chilled-out vibes. Anji Bee’s voice moves like smooth chocolate, flowing through the music as the trumpet in the distance exhales with a jazzy, emotive tone. The chorus brings lusciousness and sensuality … while the velvety melody unfolds. As the song drifts to an end, it is filled with the intensity of desire and wanting within the lyrics, while the keys and guitar create heartfelt feeling.”
Read the full “Without You” review by Karl Magi directly from his page.
Buy a digital download in your choice of formats from Bandcamp:
Free & Easy Turns 20 Today!
‘Free & Easy’ — our first independently released CD album— dropped 20 years ago today!
There are so many stories I could share, but let’s start at the beginning.
The first time I heard the demo of “Love Survives” was in Ryan’s home studio, the very first time he invited me over. He had mentioned in an interview on my radio show that he was starting some new music after the release of ‘Flux’ — pieces he wasn’t sure would have vocals, or even be part of Love Spirals Downwards.
Collaborating with a few local musicians, this new material leaned in a jazzier — even funkier — direction. Though still more of a sketch than a song, I knew it was something special.
Continue reading Free & Easy Turns 20 Today!
Without You Lyrics Visualizer Video
A beautiful new lyrics visualizer video is now available on YouTube for Lovespirals new song “Without You.” This continues the band’s series of singles with accompanying videos released monthly –more or less– over the past year. Featuring photography by Ryan and editing by Anji, this video –just like the song itself– was a labor of love for the duo.
“Without You” is available now on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music and other streaming platforms under the original band name, Love Spirals Downwards, as well as on Bandcamp under both LSD and Lovespirals.
Lovespirals Without You Single Out Now
Lovespirals’ “Without You” is a lush, soul-baring ballad that blends Ryan and Anji Lum’s signature dream pop core with classic neo-soul vibes. Built upon a smooth foundation of acoustic and electric piano, the track is enriched by emotive strings and understatedly expressive guitar work. Ryan explores intricate chord voicings—extended harmonies like spacious ninths and fragile half-diminished chords—that mirror the push and pull between longing and reassurance. Weaving effortlessly through the instrumentation, Anji’s vocals are a captivating blend of rich, soulful natural low tones and shimmering high harmonies, delivering warmth and delicate vulnerability.
Though released under the revived Love Spirals Downwards moniker, “Without You” feels like a heartfelt return to form for Lovespirals, echoing the warm, soulful textures that defined their 2000s-era chillout sound. The release coincides with the 20th anniversary of Free & Easy (2005), the album that first crystallized the Lums’ seamless fusion of dream pop, soul, and downtempo elegance. Its sonic lineage extends through the bittersweet R&B feel of “Life Goes On” (2018) and “Why Not Today” (2023), as well as the duo’s forays into jazzy downtempo and electronica on Anji Bee’s 2013 album, Love Me Leave Me.
Continue reading Lovespirals Without You Single Out Now
Without You Drops October 20th
Lovespirals are dropping their latest single on a Monday for the first time ever. So you’ll have to wait just a bit longer to hear “Without You,” a wistfully romantic and nostalgic nod to the duo’s past work in the soulful rock and chillout vein of their album Free & Easy. Rather than celebrate the 20th anniversary of the band’s debut post-Projekt Records release with a remix or re-recording of one of those 2005 songs, Ryan and Anji Lum opted for creating a brand new song in that vein –even working with lyrics begun by Anji during that time period.
If you’re feeling nostalgic, go check out Lovespirals Free & Easy, originally released November 1, 2005, on the band’s Bandcamp page:
Chillin’ with Lovespirals 99: Anymore, Molten Remix, Flux Vinyl
Ryan and Anji return with a new episode of the band podcast that’s positively jam packed with news — from their new single “Nothing Even Matters Anymore,” to a new LSD remix of Blue Ringed Baby + Kami feat Bbsani, to a special eco-vinyl release of ‘Flux,’ the duo cover it all– and more! You can check out Chillin’ with Lovespirals Episode 99 in either video format via YouTube or in audio format from the podcast service of your choice.
You can subscribe to Chillin’ with Lovespirals on just about any podcast app like Apple, Spotify, Amazon, iHeart, Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Deezer, and JioSaavn. Or just listen to Chillin’ with Lovespirals 99 in the player below!
SHOW LINKS:
Our Bandcamp — lovespiralsdownwards.bandcamp.com
Goddezz Records’ Bandcamp — goddezz.bandcamp.com
Lost in Ohio’s Bandcamp — lostinohio.bandcamp.com
Nothing Even Matters Anymore Single & Video
Lovespirals dropped their latest single a week early exclusively for Bandcamp Friday, but the official release date is today, September 12th, on all streaming platforms including Spotify and Apple Music.
A haunting blend of gothic-tinged dream pop and atmospheric chill, “Nothing Even Matters Anymore” moves from hushed resignation to soaring catharsis. Anji’s luminous vocal harmonies and Ryan’s ethereal guitar weave a melancholic sound ideal for late-night reflection.
A lyric visualiser video is simultaneously available on YouTube.
Chillin’ with Lovespirals 98: Glittering
Ryan & Anji return to discuss their latest single, “Glittering,” sharing listener comments and behind the scenes stories about its creation, release, and promotions. They also talk about some improvements Ryan made to his custom telecaster, and get into the guitar sounds he used on “Glittering” including using Anji’s Big Muff Pi pedal. Additional news was shared, as well, so check it out for all the latest from Lovespirals!
You can subscribe to Chillin’ with Lovespirals on just about any podcast app like Apple, Spotify, Amazon, iHeart, Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Deezer, and JioSaavn. Or just listen to Chillin’ with Lovespirals 98 in the player below!
SHOW LINKS:
- Download “Glittering” (as well as ‘Free & Easy’ or ‘Ecstatic’) from Bandcamp
- Follow Lovespirals on Instagram
- Watch the “Glittering” lyric visualizer video on YouTube
- Watch our video about Ryan building his Telecaster on YouTube
“Glittering” Single & Video Out Now
Lovespirals “Glittering” marks a shimmering return to chillout, channeling the hypnotic allure of millennial downtempo electronica through the band’s distinctive brand of dream pop. Built around a haunting piano motif, the track gradually unfolds into a sophisticated contemplation of beauty and illusion.
Anji Lum’s enchanting vocal interplay, characterized ever so slightly jazzy and low-lit phrasing layered with ethereal, witchy harmonies, imbues the song with a seductive yet cautionary aura. Her lyrics flicker between allure and regret, casting love as something dazzling but deceptive:
“Catching feelings / Fell for the flash / Foolish emotions / Now turned to ash.”
Ryan Lum’s signature fusion of electric and acoustic guitar is elegantly woven over a laid-back electronica groove, striking a harmonious balance between earthy tones and atmospheric ambiance. His Big Muff-soaked solo recalls the expressive restraint of Pink Floyd, culminating in a radiantly anachronistic climax—at once nostalgic and fresh.
Wrapped in a soulful, vintage-inspired rhythm and adorned with sparkling ambient touches, “Glittering” serves as both a loving nod to the duo’s past and a subtle reinvention. It invites listeners to lose themselves in the glow, even as it gently reminding them of the adage:
“All that glitters is not gold.”
“Glittering” is available now on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music and other streaming platforms under the original band name, Love Spirals Downwards, as well as on Bandcamp under both LSD and Lovespirals.
Watch the lyric visualizer video on YouTube: