Love Spirals Downwards’ groundbreaking 1998 album, Flux, seamlessly combines drum n bass, trip pop, and dub electronica stylings with their classic ethereal dream pop sound. As the final studio album featuring original vocalist, Suzanne Perry, the album title aptly captured that tumultuous time for bandleader, Ryan Lum. Breaking away from the acoustic guitar based sound of their earliest releases proved to be a winning move, as this electronica-focused album has stood the test of time. Perry-led opening track “City Moon” has become the band’s best-known song with modern audiences, remaining the top track on Spotify and Apple Music. Another top 10 song on Spotify is “Psyche” — one of two tracks co-written and sung by Suzanne’s sister Kristen Perry, which landed a music placement on the nationally syndicated show Dawson’s Creek in 2001. Flux features a second track with Kristen (“Ring”), as well as a guest performance by guitarist Rodney Rodriguez on “Alicia,” and a remix of the 1994 Jennifer Ryan Fuller collab “Sunset Bell.”

From Projekt Records original press release:

“As the name of their newest album implies, Love Spirals Downwards has continued their evolution with each new release. Comprised of Ryan Lum and Suzanne Perry, the band was among the first generation of musicians to grow up with home recording studios. As technology became more sophisticated, so did their art. Now Lum and Perry use a full range of technical advances, including computers and digital audio recording. Their embrace of technology helped lead to their current dance/electronica base. Inspired by the ambient drum & bass style of LTJ Bukem, Spring Heel Jack and PFM, band founder Ryan Lum developed new material that combines the duo’s trademark heavenly vocals and ether-bliss guitars with a breakbeat rhythmic foundation. The result is Flux, Love Spirals Downwards’ most advanced passage yet.” ~ Projekt Records

The 2023 Flux Deluxe Edition offers an even more expansive musical journey. In addition to the nine original album cuts, listeners can explore contemporaneous remixes by Ryan Lum, a never-before-heard live performance, and a plethora of previously unreleased material from the original recording sessions. The digital release also features a fresh rendition of “I’ll Always Love You” (renamed “Misunderstood”) with Ryan’s current bandmate, Anji Lum. This track currently holds the number two spot in the band’s top tracks on Spotify.

Download the album via Bandcamp, or stream it via your favorite service.

CONTEMPORANEOUS REVIEWS:

“A great, contemporary record. Flux sounds like a more genuine version of what Mono was aiming for: a pop-electronic fusion with a gentle jungle undertow. It’s one of the best things I’ve heard in months, and you’d be wse to get your hands on a copy quick.” ~ Scott Becker, Option Magazine

“The combination of gothic trance and jungle rhythms isn’t something that you’d probably expect to be found on the Projekt label, or any other gothic or dark ambient label that’s trying to take itself seriously. However, within minutes of listening to this disc, you’ll think that Love Spirals Downwards has been doing it for years and everybody else is just way behind the times. 

Much less like a prelude to a dance remix, and more like an integral part of the music, electronic drums are used here in a tempo that’s plenty fast, but subdued enough to not be the foreground of the songs.  Rather, the foreground remains the interaction between effect-heavy guitar and otherworldly vocals.  Songs stand out as clearly futuristic, perhaps paving the way for a new interaction of genres that hadn’t previously been conceived.  

Slacking back and listening to “Sound of Waves” or “Ring” easily lets you believe you’ve been somehow privy to a CD warped back in time from ten years in the future.  We’ll be anxiously awaiting the next album.” 9.3/10 ~Skaht Hansen, Pitchfork

“With Flux, bandleader, Ryan Lum, has fully committed himself to the electronic groove based sound first hinted at on Love Spirals Downwards’ previous album, Ever. Flux gives full play to Lum’s increasing attraction to the melodic side of drum and bass music, with 7 of 9 tracks using that unique polyrhythmic technique. Over an electronic bed of break beats, samples and synth, Lum lays down his signature guitar melodies and lush washes, using both electric and acoustic guitars. 

Unlike most drum and bass projects, vocals — both full and sampled — are used extensively on Flux, creating more of a listening album feel than a dance club vibe. Including vocal work from long time collaborator, Suzanne Perry, as well as her sister, Kristen Perry — plus a redux of Jennifer Ryan Fullers 1994 “Sunset Bell” performance — all the vocals are very dreamy, light, feminine and classically Projekt Records in sound. 

Love Spirals Downwards has a way of creating happy-sad music that simultaneously makes one feel exalted and contemplative. Flux continues in this tradition, but seems to up the ante just a bit. Over all, the tempo is upbeat, the melodies heartbreaking, the vocals soothing, and everything flows together in the seamless, trance inducing, spirit-lifting vein of LSD’s past albums. With Flux, the songs speak both to your spirit and your mind, your heart and your body.” ~ DJ Anji Bee, KUCI Program Guide