Ardor is the 1994 follow-up to Love Spirals Downwards’ critically acclaimed Projekt debut, Idylls. Dreamy and romantic, Ardor is rich in atmosphere with lush layers of ethereal guitar textures and jangly acoustic guitars, graced by some of the best vocal work of the era’s “Heavenly Voices” genre. Includes the singles “Kykeon,” “Will You Fade,” and “Write In Water” featured on compilations including Heavenly Voices Part 2 (1994), Projekt 100: The Early Years, 1985 to 1995 (2000) and Projekt200 (2007).
“The words ‘Ethereal’, ‘Ether-bliss’, ‘Dream-pop’ and ‘Angelic’ have all been used in describing the mysterious sound of Love Spirals Downwards. While none of these terms captures the essence of their sound, each describes some quality of their beyond-language music. And beyond language’ is a good starting point; their. female vocals transcend lyric and language, while guitars swirl and spiral with bright atmospheric textures from a place beyond words. It is place where words and meaning are meaningless and where emotion and beauty prevail. On their new album Ardor, Love Spirals Downwards continues their dream-like sound with a blissful and uplifting feel that picks up from the slightly darker, almost Eastern, sound of their debut. Ardor abounds with rich layered textures of effected electric and acoustic guitars created by Ryan Lum combining with the beautiful harmonizing voices of vocalist Suzanne Perry, enveloping the listener in a world of beauty.” ~ Projekt Records
CONTEMPORANEOUS REVIEWS:
“Suzanne Perry and Ryan Lum once again create a world without boundaries… Seductive and sad, full of longing and lust, this album can’t help but satisfy your cravings for music that captivates with a hit of decay wafting about the edges. Like visiting ancient ruins on a sunny day, Ardor captures your imagination and it’s up to you what you let them do with it. My suggestion: surrender to them!” ~ B-Side Magazine
“The second wave of aural resplendence from the lean duo of vocalist Suzanne Perry and guitar necromancer Ryan Lum far surpasses Idylls in its intensity of focus, and leans less toward their initially more Eastern echoes. Perry and Lum have obviously honed their skills for interpreting yet undreamed of musical dreams. A signature Projekt artist, Love Spirals Downward abounds in quality pastoral bliss.” ~ Industrial Nation
“LSD stuns with the sort of music that once made the Twins so exciting. Droning, quivering layers of electric and acoustic guitars, minimal drums and just the right amount of synthetic keys as needed for texture. And the voice. There’s no need to bemoan the Twins. Their old banner has been picked up and held high by a pair who will not let it drop.” ~ Alternative Press
“When discussing the ethereal gothic sound, one can’t help but mention Love Spirals Downwards’ latest effort, ‘Ardor. ‘The album makes its intense entrance with the churning, beautifully stellar “Will You Fade” and for the next 55 minutes, takes the listener on a delicately passionate, otherworldly journey to the very depths of human emotion. Musically, the band bears much resemblance to the bands from the old 4AD sound (specifically the Cocteau Twins), yet Love Spirals Downwards manage to do more than just wear their influences on their sleeves. The striking vocals of Suzanne Perry sound like they were captured in a low-lit cathedral or mystical shrine deep in the night, adding impeccably to the richly swirling guitars of Ryan Lum. The standouts are “Write In Water” with its dreamy harmonies, and the slowly climaxing guitar of “Will You Fade”; however, even the standouts don’t overshadow the solidity of the album as a whole. Each of the individual songs piece together to produce that “heavenly melancholy” perfect for late night drifting and moody contemplations, and methinks that Ardor has established Love Spirals Downward{s] as a potential standard bearer in the ethereal gothic scene today.” ~ Permission (1995)
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