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.[1] The following year, she released her debut studio album, With A Smile.[2]
History
With Loveland at the helm, Best Ex initially began as an offshoot of
Candy Hearts.[3] 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.[4] During the release, they embarked on a co-headlining tour of the U.S. with Shane Henderson of
Valencia,[5] adding touring member Matthew Florio.[6]
Ice Cream Anti-Social received coverage from publications like
DIY (magazine)[7] and
Alternative Press (magazine), who called the band's poppier sound "Loveland’s perfect fit."[8] The summer after the release, Best Ex performed on the final run of
Warped Tour,[9] where Mariel opened up to
The New York Times about experiencing abuse within the music industry.[10] 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.[11] She ultimately enlisted Andy Tongren of
Young Rising Sons as a producer and recorded what would become Good At Feeling Bad in his kitchen.[12] Loveland later explained her decision to distance herself from the pop punk genre, relaunching Best Ex with heavy electronic and pop influences[13] and signing to
No Sleep Records.[14]
In May 2020, amidst on-and-off coronavirus lockdowns, Best Ex released Good At Feeling Bad.[15]Earmilk described the single as a "gorgeous contrast of melancholic lyrics against a pounding club beat."[16] Loveland promoted the release in a virtual concert tribute to
Joey Ramone with
We Are Scientists and
The Futureheads.[17]
In 2022, it was announced on social media[18] that Best Ex had signed to
Iodine Recordings and planned to release an LP in 2023.
The Fest also announced that Best Ex were on the official lineup for Fest 20.[19]