Reviews

Karl Magi Reviews “Without You”

Leave a comment

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:

Blog

Free & Easy Turns 20 Today!

Leave a comment

‘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! →
Video

Without You Lyrics Visualizer Video

Leave a comment

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.

Audio, News

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 →
News, Video

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:

Podcast, Video

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

Audio, Video

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.

Audio, News

New Remix Release: Love Spirals Downwards x Blue Ringed Baby & Kamī

Had the pleasure of reimagining “Molten” by Blue Ringed Baby + Kami for their upcoming album on Goddezz. Took me back to the headspace I was in while making ‘Flux’ in 1997-98. Give it a listen! 

Shimmering breaks, weightless motion, glitched sparks of melody, lightness and transcendence… with Molten featuring inspirations and production from close collaborator of the duo bbsanii, the release is also accompanied by a rare remix from Love Spirals Downwards, the seminal 90s ethereal wave and dream-pop band whose work helped define an era of ambient electronica, jungle and atmospheric soundscapes. Their reimagining of “molten” drifts into lounge-inspired bliss, with dreamy guitars and a laid-back rhythmic sway.

Out now on Bandcamp, as well as streaming services including Spotify and Apple Music.

Podcast, Video

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:

Audio, News, Video

“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:

Podcast, Video

Chillin’ with Lovespirals 97: Okay

The latest episode of Lovespirals band podcast is out now! Ryan and Anji discuss their latest single, “Okay,” including their songwriting and recording process, listener feedback, album art, video making, etc. They also address the concerns of fans regarding Anji’s “Boss Mode” lyrics, share upcoming plans and more in this casual conversation.

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 97 in the player below!

Press, Reviews

“Okay” Reviewed by Karl Magi on HubPages

Lovely to see another review by Karl Magi aka SynthWriter80s, this time of our new single, “Okay.” It reads, in part:

Lambent guitar notes ring while the spoken word segment trembles with distant melancholy. The way Anji Bee captures the emotion in the words is deeply touching as her emotive voice calls out with vulnerability. The drums and bass throb slowly beneath her as a flaring synth hovers and the wobbling guitar shifts uneasily.

Read the rest of this Lovespirals “Okay” review on HubPages

“Okay” 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 names.

Electronica meets Dream Pop