Lovespirals return with their third new song of 2024 , “Used To Be,” a captivating track that intertwines 90s-inspired dream pop and electronica with unexpected hints of soulfulness. Evoking the early Love Spirals Downwards era, Ryan combines atmospheric textures, acoustic strums, and a goth-tinged guitar hook, building to an epic solo that closes the song with emotive resonance. Anji’s expressive blend of earthy and ethereal vocals, layered with harmonies, brings the song’s emotional depth to life. The result is an immersive, haunting, and reflective soundscape, pairing raw lyrical honesty with lush instrumentation.
The dark and atmospheric video for Lovespirals’ first new release since 2022 perfectly complements the mysterious mood of the song. Watch now on YouTube.
We found a pre-album live performance of “Sound of Waves” Live at ProjektFest 1997 that we just had to include on the 25th anniversary reissue of ‘Flux.’ This video features more goodies from the LSD archives including proof sheets of photos taken of Ryan and Suzanne performing at The Vic in Chicago on the very night of this recording. The photographers are Katie McIntree and E. Katie Holmes.
“Psyche” from ‘Flux’ in a scene from ‘Dawson’s Creek’ S5: The Bostonians 10/10/2001
Love Spirals Downwards’ first television music placement was on the internationally syndicated show ‘Dawson’s Creek’ on The WB network. The 1998 ‘Flux’ track “Psyche” was featured in a party scene starring Michelle Williams and Chad Michael Murray on the season 5 premiere episode “The Bostonians.” According to Neilson Media Research this episode had 4.47 million viewers when it aired on October 10, 2001. It was really cool hearing this vocal drum ‘n’ bass song co-written and sung by Suzanne’s sister, Kristen Perry, on such a popular TV show and especially in such a long, fun scene.
Check out “Psyche” on the new 25th Anniversary ’Flux Deluxe Edition’ out now on all digital music services including Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, TIDAL, Bandcamp, and YouTube Music!
The first new single from Lovespirals since their 2010 album Future Past marks a return to form for band founder Ryan Lum. Lum burst onto the American dream pop scene in 1991 as Love Spirals Downwards on the Projekt label, quickly establishing himself as one of the best ethereal producers and guitarists in the genre. “Brother Against Brother” is a swirling, ambient, folk-tinged dream pop track featuring heavily effected ethereal guitar and female vocals by bandmate Anji Bee. You can grab the digital single from Bandcamp or watch the official music video on YouTube.
Brickbat Mansions posted a sneak peek of Golden Gardens and Suzanne’s practice for the Brickbat Boat event. Perhaps some video will surface from the show, too?
Ryan Lum performs the classic LSD song “Avincenna” from the 1994 album Ardor live in his studio. He also shares a few factoids about the song and his approach to playing it. This is the first of the bonus material that we promised to share on the Love Spirals Downwards YouTube channel.
Ryan Lum of Love Spirals Downwards and Lovespirals recreates his instrumental classic “Mirrors A Still Sky” from LSD’s 1994 album ‘Ardor’.
“I’ve been in the ethereal zone for some time while writing new material, and I thought it’d be a fun challenge to recreate an old LSD song with a superior recording studio. It’s not an exact duplication; I’ve kept the original’s vibe and intent while bringing in a few new elements to enhance the mood. It’s a very emotionally intense instrumental and revisiting it brought back a rush of the feelings I had while creating the song 20 years ago. I hope this new recording may bring a similar joy to the listeners as it brought me to work on this project.”
— Ryan Lum
NOTE: this re-recording is now available as a bonus track on ‘Temporal’ digital release on Bandcamp!
Ryan of Love Spirals Downwards has been quite active as of late with the band’s YouTube channel. Dissatisfied with the audio quality of the band’s tracks on previously found on YouTube, he’s has been uploading his own videos with the highest quality possible on YouTube. Already, Idylls is available in its entirety with most of Ardor as well. Expect to find rare bonus tracks and previously unreleased material in the not so distant future. Be sure to subscribe to the Love Spirals Downwards YouTube Channel to stay up to date.
Ethereal Shoegaze and Electronica from Projekt Records
