After the introspective melancholy of 2018’s Life Goes On, Lovespirals returned in 2022 with a project that both continued their signature dream pop sound and explored new sonic territory. Smile, a three-song EP, embraces a lighter yet still reflective mood, weaving together jazz-inflected indie pop, electronic downtempo textures, and a newfound influence from South Korean indie music (K-indie).
Released on March 5, 2022, Smile is available on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon MP3, Tidal, YouTube, Deezer, and Bandcamp. The EP features “Smile”, “Why Not Today”, and “Down Low”, each exploring themes of emotional resilience, longing, and quiet introspection.
While the underlying wistfulness of Life Goes On remains, Smile introduces a softer, more understated palette, reflecting both personal growth and evolving musical influences.
A Sound Inspired by K-Indie and Dream Pop Roots
Musically, Smile builds on Lovespirals’ long-standing love for jazz, blues, and downtempo electronica while incorporating a new influence—Korean indie pop. Bandleader Ryan Lum, reflecting on the EP’s musical direction on the Chillin’ with Lovespirals podcast, shared:
“Every album—even if it’s just a three-song EP—has some kind of sound inspiration, a musical fantasy that I’m trying to create in our studio. This time, it came from listening to a lot of South Korean music over the past few years with Anji.”
Initially drawn in by K-pop, the duo soon gravitated toward the K-indie scene, which features lush, genre-blending arrangements that echo their own musical sensibilities. He further elaborated on the initial spark, mentioning the Kozy Pop label:
“We were listening to a Kozy Pop album one time, and I go, ‘Hey babe, what would happen if all the vocals were in English?'”
The Kozy Pop label, a portmanteau of “cozy” and “K-pop,” focuses on Korean artists creating mellow and comforting music. Lovespirals specifically cited Kozy Pop’s Nutty EP as a direct inspiration for Smile. Lum explained how this led to the EP’s concept:
“I said, ‘I think there’s some room for exploration there,’ and that’s kind of like what inspired me to make the songs for ‘Smile.'”
It was during one of these deep dives into Kozy Pop that Lum had an epiphany about adapting this style into Lovespirals’ own work.
“These young South Korean producers have no fear when it comes to mixing genres. They incorporate jazz chord changes into contemporary electronic pop in a way that feels completely natural.”
This influence is especially evident in “Smile”, which takes a jazzy chord progression Lum had been playing with for years and reframes it within a shimmering indie-pop production style reminiscent of artists from the Kozy Pop label.
A Deeper Look at the Tracks
“Smile” – Sunlit Melancholy
The title track, “Smile,” fuses Ryan’s shimmering shoegaze-inspired guitar work with a laid-back beat, dreamy electric piano, and Anji Bee’s earthy yet ethereal vocals. The result is a warm, inviting track that evokes the California beachside lifestyle, yet beneath its sunny exterior lies a bittersweet confession:
“My smile may be pretty but it’s all filled with lies / And if you look closely, see it doesn’t reach my eyes.”
Bee describes the song as a reflection on the curated nature of social media, where people often present a polished version of happiness that doesn’t always reflect reality. The track’s gentle pop sensibility makes it one of the most accessible songs Lovespirals have ever released, while still carrying their signature melancholic depth.
Lum had been working on the chord progression for years, but it wasn’t until their K-indie exploration that he found the right sonic landscape for it, as he explained on The Chillcast with Anji Bee special feature:
“In the past I would have been tempted to do a more straight up classic Jazz sort of thing, but when I saw what the Koreans did; they were able to bring in jazz chord changes in a context where it doesn’t really sound like jazz music, it just sounds like contemporary electronic pop music.”
The track’s lush layers and soft groove showcase Lovespirals’ ability to balance melancholy with warmth—a signature trait of their music.
“Why Not Today” – Yearning for Change
Originally released as a standalone single in 2020, “Why Not Today” leans into Lovespirals’ R&B and Soul influences, with a smooth, jazzy groove and bluesy undertones. The song’s lyrics capture the ache of waiting for happiness and the frustration of delayed dreams:
“When does the happiness begin? / When does the love come flooding in? / Will it be tomorrow? / Why not today?”
This new mix of the song retains the melancholic, dreamy essence of the original, while enhancing the lush textures and production details. Its deeply chill atmosphere and subtly intricate instrumental layers make it a standout moment on the EP. Released during the uncertainty of the pandemic, the lyrics took on an even deeper significance—echoing the universal longing for brighter days ahead.
“Down Low” – A Secretive Groove
Perhaps the biggest sonic departure on the EP, “Down Low” blends elements of shoegaze, dream pop, and Brazilian-influenced jazz chords, mirroring the innovative hybrid sounds of the Korean indie scene. Built around a hazy, hypnotic progression, the song features one of Ryan Lum’s rare vocal appearances, adding an unexpected texture to the track.
The lyrics suggest a relationship kept in secrecy, with Bee’s bright vocals lend a sense of childlike naivety to the clandestine message:
“Drop me a line / Send me a sign / A little something / Let me know that you’re alive.”
As the song unfolds, Lum delivers a soaring guitar solo reminiscent of his early Love Spirals Downwards work, tying the track back to his 90s ethereal roots. The quirky telephone samples and unconventional structure make “Down Low” one of Lovespirals’ most distinctive and genre-defying songs to date.
Visual Storytelling – Three Music Videos
For the first time, Lovespirals created a music video for each track on the EP, enhancing the songs with visually distinct aesthetics:
- “Smile” – Filmed at scenic California coastal locations, this video captures the song’s bittersweet essence, juxtaposing stunning sunset visuals with introspective performance shots. It premiered on their official YouTube channel on March 7, 2022.
- “Why Not Today” – Shot at Crystal Cove Beach, this soothing, minimalist video reflects the song’s meditative quality, offering a visual representation of longing and emotional release. It was released on Jul 3, 2020, along with the Bandcamp exclusive digital single.
- “Down Low” – A stark contrast to the other videos, this one embraces moody urban noir, showcasing downtown Long Beach at midnight, emphasizing the track’s shadowy, secretive themes. It was released on May 14, 2022
According to Bee, the three-video project was an exciting creative milestone for the duo:
“This is the first time Lovespirals have created a music video for every song on a release, and we’re pretty excited about it.”
Promoting Smile – Podcasts & Features
Beyond the music videos, the Smile EP received an in-depth feature on The Chillcast with Anji Bee, where Bee and Lum discussed the inspirations behind the songs. The one-hour music and interview feature released on Mixcloud and Spotify in 2022 featured music from Lovespirals as well as South Korean artists Now Seoul Nights, BTS, Baekhyun, Colde, Jimmy Brown, and snzae, further highlighting the crossover influence between Western dream pop and South Korean indie music.
An upload of the show to YouTube was blocked due to copyright claims, but the feature was later re-edited without the copyrighted music and re-released as a Chillin’ with Lovespirals episode on YouTube in August 2023. The podcast, Chillin’ with Lovespirals, launched in June 2005, has served as a platform for Ryan and Anji Lum to share insights into their creative processes and the evolving musical landscape.
Cross-Promotion on Happy Healthy Vegan
To further promote the Smile EP, Lovespirals strategically leveraged their popular YouTube channel, Happy Healthy Vegan. The duo:
- Reposted all three music videos on the Happy Healthy Vegan channel.
- Announced the EP’s release through posts on their channel, website, and social media accounts including Facebook and Instagram.
- Integrated the songs into their regular vlogs, using them as background music and as closing video segments in episodes —subtly introducing their vegan-focused audience to the new release.
This multi-platform approach helped bridge their musical and lifestyle passions, expanding their reach beyond traditional music promotion.
Critical & Listener Response
Despite being an independent release with no formal PR campaign, Smile made an immediate impact on SomaFM LUSH:
- #1 on the Lush Top 30 Albums
- #1 on the Top 30 Albums by Listeners
- #1 on the Top 30 Artists by Spins and Listeners
- All three tracks ranked in the Top 10 of Tracks by Spins and Listeners
Reflecting on this organic success, Bee expressed gratitude:
“Being a completely independent band with zero PR, this kind of support really means a lot to us.”
Additionally, MusicTap praised Smile for its “innovative yet ethereal” sound, calling it “a welcome return that blends Lovespirals’ signature style with fresh, unexpected influences.”
Cover Art & Aesthetic – A New Visual Direction
For Smile, Lovespirals took a fresh approach to their cover art, featuring an oil painting portrait by Tom Pathe. The wistful expression, dreamy pastel palette, and soft blues create a visual parallel to the melancholy yet soothing themes of the EP.
Interestingly, the text-free, painterly aesthetic recalls the album covers of K-indie artists like Dept, Seo Actor, and Anonymous Artists, whose minimal, artwork-driven designs emphasize mood over branding. This was also a first for Lovespirals—until Smile, Lum had exclusively used photography for both Lovespirals and Love Spirals Downwards album covers.
The use of Pathe’s artwork also marks a full-circle moment in his collaboration with Ryan Lum. Decades before Smile, Pathe provided photography for Love Spirals Downwards’ debut album, Idylls (1992), and their 1994 follow-up, Ardor. Over time, Pathe gained recognition as a painter, known for his color field works and portraits of women. His inclusion in New American Paintings, a prestigious publication spotlighting contemporary artists, cemented his reputation in the art world.
The decision to feature a painting rather than a photograph subtly underscores the EP’s departure into new sonic territory, blending old inspirations with fresh influences.
A New Chapter for Lovespirals
With Smile, Lovespirals continue their tradition of pushing their sonic boundaries while maintaining the soulful, dreamy essence that has defined their career. By incorporating elements of K-indie and electronic jazz, the duo have crafted an EP that feels both intimate and exploratory, reflecting the shifting musical landscape of the 2020s.
Whether through the breezy yet melancholic “Smile,” the yearning “Why Not Today,” or the mysterious “Down Low,” Lovespirals invite listeners into a world of reflection, emotion, and musical evolution—one that feels just as relevant today as it did upon its release.