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Best Ex

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Solo alternative project
Best Ex
OriginRamsey, New Jersey, U.S.
Genres
Years active2017–present
LabelsNo Sleep Records, Alcopop! Records, Iodine Recordings
Spinoff ofCandy Hearts
MembersMariel Loveland
Websitebestexnj.com

Best Ex is the stage moniker of American songwriter Mariel Loveland. Loveland previously fronted the pop punk band Candy Hearts before launching her solo project in 2017. Best Ex was named one of NJ.com's 32 artists to watch in 2022. The following year, she released her debut studio album, With A Smile.

History

With Loveland at the helm, Best Ex initially began as an offshoot of Candy Hearts. In 2017, the band hired Alex Fitts as a producer, announced the project, and released their debut EP, Ice Cream Anti-Social, on Alcopop Records. During the release, they embarked on a co-headlining tour of the U.S. with Shane Henderson of Valencia, adding touring member Matthew Florio.

Ice Cream Anti-Social received coverage from publications like DIY (magazine) and Alternative Press (magazine), who called the band's poppier sound "Loveland’s perfect fit." The summer after the release, Best Ex performed on the final run of Warped Tour, where Loveland opened up to The New York Times about experiencing abuse within the music industry. She said, "Instead of my team and the people who worked for me being like 'We’ll do what we can to make you feel safe' ... it was 'Why did you open your mouth?'"

When Loveland returned home, she struggled to adjust to life off the road, penning an essay in Billboard about her experience. She ultimately enlisted Andy Tongren of Young Rising Sons as a producer and recorded what would become Good At Feeling Bad in his kitchen. Loveland later explained her decision to distance herself from the pop punk genre, relaunching Best Ex with heavy electronic and pop influences and signing to No Sleep Records.

In May 2020, amidst on-and-off coronavirus lockdowns, Best Ex released Good At Feeling Bad. Earmilk described the single as a "gorgeous contrast of melancholic lyrics against a pounding club beat." Loveland promoted the release in a virtual concert tribute to Joey Ramone with We Are Scientists and The Futureheads.

In 2022, it was announced on social media that Best Ex had signed to Iodine Recordings. Loveland released With a Smile, the project's first LP, in October 2023.

Discography

LPs

  • With a Smile (2023)

EPs

  • Ice Cream Anti-Social (2017)
  • Good At Feeling Bad (2020)

Singles

  • "Die for you (Soft Faith Remix)" (2024)
  • "Nightlife Alone" by Soft Faith (2024)
  • "I Promise to Ruin Your Life (The Kickdrums Remix)" (2024)


References

  1. NJ.com, Bobby Olivier | NJ Advance Media for (2022-01-16). "32 N.J. bands and artists you need to hear in 2022". nj. Retrieved 2022-03-28.
  2. "Best Ex Announces Debut Album 'With A Smile'". idobi Network. Retrieved 2023-10-10.
  3. Michael Astley-Brown (2017-08-16). "10 questions for Best Ex's Mariel Loveland". MusicRadar. Retrieved 2022-09-19.
  4. Payne, Chris (2017-05-05). "Candy Hearts Changes Name to Best Ex, Premieres New DIY Synthpop Jam 'Girlfriend'". Billboard. Retrieved 2022-03-28.
  5. "Promise Of Redemption to headline tour with Best Ex (formerly Candy Hearts)". Alternative Press Magazine. 2017-05-10. Retrieved 2022-03-28.
  6. Magazine, Bop (2020-07-09). "Finding Ordinary Things Beautiful Is Important For Mariel Loveland of Best Ex". Bop Magazine. Retrieved 2022-09-19.
  7. "BEST EX get 'Ice Cream Anti Social' on new EP". DIY. 13 July 2017. Retrieved 2022-09-19.
  8. Dickman, Maggie (14 July 2017). "Best Ex (formerly Candy Hearts) balance punk and pop on sugar-coated debut EP". Alternative Press Magazine. Retrieved 2022-09-19.
  9. "Shiragirl Stage To Be At PNC Bank Arts Center For 2018 Vans Warped Tour". NewJerseyStage.com. 2018-07-09. Retrieved 2022-03-28.
  10. Knopper, Steve (2018-06-21). "'It Was 11 Guys on a Bus, and Then Me': Women on the Warped Tour". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-09-19.
  11. Loveland, Mariel (2019-08-22). "Life After the Road: Finding a Way Home When the Tour Ends (Guest Column)". Billboard. Retrieved 2022-03-28.
  12. "Here's everything you need to know about Best Ex's new EP, 'Good At Feeling Bad'". Upset. Retrieved 2022-03-28.
  13. admin (2019-11-19). "a conversation with best ex's mariel loveland on her new musical direction". ease up magazine. Retrieved 2022-03-28.
  14. "Best Ex Gets 'Good At Feeling Bad'". American Songwriter. 2020-06-05. Retrieved 2022-03-28.
  15. "Quarantine Diaries: Best Ex Singer Mariel Loveland Is Playing Ukulele & Watching Brad Mondo Hair Videos". www.grammy.com. Retrieved 2022-03-28.
  16. "Album Review: Best Ex - Good At Feeling Bad". EARMILK. 22 May 2020. Retrieved 2022-09-19.
  17. Pearis, Bill (9 March 2021). "Joey Ramone Birthday tribute to feature mems Buffalo Tom, Art Brut, Futureheads, more". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved 2022-09-19.
  18. Iodine Recordings. "Iodine Recordings on Instagram: "Welcome Best Ex to Iodine Recordings!". Instagram. Retrieved 2022-09-19.
  19. Harris, Will (2023-11-28). "Mariel Loveland of Best Ex on Leaving the Candy Hearts Behind and the Partial Delusion Required to Make It in Music". Q Magazine. Retrieved 2023-11-30.
  20. "Best Ex (formerly Candy Hearts) balance punk and pop on sugar-coated debut EP". Alternative Press Magazine. 2017-07-14. Retrieved 2022-03-28.
  21. "PREMIERE: Best Ex Announces "Good at Feeling Bad" EP with "On My Mind" Video". FLOOD. Retrieved 2022-03-28.
  22. "Best Ex Enlist Soft Faith for a Valentine's Day Remix of "Die for You"". FLOOD. Retrieved 2024-09-25.
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