Best Ex

{{Infobox musical artist | origin = Ramsey, New Jersey, U.S. | genre = {{hlist|Indie rock|indie pop|alternative|}} | years_active = 2017–present | label = No Sleep Records, Alcopop! Records, Iodine Recordings | spinoff_of = Candy Hearts | website = {{URL|bestexnj.com}} | current_members = Mariel Loveland }}

'''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.<ref>{{Cite web |last=NJ.com |first=Bobby Olivier {{!}} NJ Advance Media for |date=2022-01-16 |title=32 N.J. bands and artists you need to hear in 2022 |url=https://www.nj.com/entertainment/2022/01/32-nj-bands-and-artists-you-need-to-hear-in-2022.html |access-date=2022-03-28 |website=nj |language=en}}</ref> The following year, she released her debut studio album, ''With A Smile''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Best Ex Announces Debut Album 'With A Smile' |url=https://idobi.com/high-life/best-ex-announces-debut-album-with-a-smile/ |access-date=2023-10-10 |website=idobi Network |language=en-US}}</ref>

== History ==

With Loveland at the helm, Best Ex initially began as an offshoot of Candy Hearts.<ref>{{Cite web |author1=Michael Astley-Brown |date=2017-08-16 |title=10 questions for Best Ex's Mariel Loveland |url=https://www.musicradar.com/news/10-questions-for-best-exs-mariel-loveland |access-date=2022-09-19 |website=MusicRadar |language=en}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Payne |first=Chris |date=2017-05-05 |title=Candy Hearts Changes Name to Best Ex, Premieres New DIY Synthpop Jam 'Girlfriend' |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/candy-hearts-name-change-best-ex-girlfriend-tour-dates-mariel-loveland-7784803/ |access-date=2022-03-28 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref> During the release, they embarked on a co-headlining tour of the U.S. with Shane Henderson of Valencia,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-05-10 |title=Promise Of Redemption to headline tour with Best Ex (formerly Candy Hearts) |url=https://www.altpress.com/news/promise_of_redemption_to_headline_tour_with_best_ex_candy_hearts/ |access-date=2022-03-28 |website=Alternative Press Magazine |language=en}}</ref> adding touring member Matthew Florio.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Magazine |first=Bop |date=2020-07-09 |title=Finding Ordinary Things Beautiful Is Important For Mariel Loveland of Best Ex |url=https://www.bopmgzn.com/post/finding-ordinary-things-beautiful-is-important-for-mariel-loveland-of-best-ex |access-date=2022-09-19 |website=Bop Magazine |language=en}}</ref>

''Ice Cream Anti-Social'' received coverage from publications like DIY (magazine)<ref>{{Cite web |title=BEST EX get 'Ice Cream Anti Social' on new EP |url=https://diymag.com/2017/07/13/best-ex-ice-cream-anti-social-ep-stream-premiere-listen |access-date=2022-09-19 |website=DIY |date=13 July 2017 |language=en}}</ref> and Alternative Press (magazine), who called the band's poppier sound "Loveland’s perfect fit."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dickman |first=Maggie|title=Best Ex (formerly Candy Hearts) balance punk and pop on sugar-coated debut EP |url=https://www.altpress.com/best_ex_ice_cream_anti_social_review/ |access-date=2022-09-19 |website=Alternative Press Magazine |date=14 July 2017 |language=en}}</ref> The summer after the release, Best Ex performed on the final run of Warped Tour,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-07-09 |title=Shiragirl Stage To Be At PNC Bank Arts Center For 2018 Vans Warped Tour |url=https://www.newjerseystage.com/articles/2018/07/09/shiragirl-stage-to-be-at-pnc-bank-arts-center-for-2018-vans-warped-tour |access-date=2022-03-28 |website=NewJerseyStage.com |language=en}}</ref> where Loveland opened up to The New York Times about experiencing abuse within the music industry.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Knopper |first=Steve |date=2018-06-21 |title='It Was 11 Guys on a Bus, and Then Me': Women on the Warped Tour |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/21/arts/music/warped-tour-women.html |access-date=2022-09-19 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Loveland |first=Mariel |date=2019-08-22 |title=Life After the Road: Finding a Way Home When the Tour Ends (Guest Column) |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/mariel-loveland-life-after-the-road-column/ |access-date=2022-03-28 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref> She ultimately enlisted Andy Tongren of Young Rising Sons as a producer and recorded what would become ''Good At Feeling Bad'' in his kitchen.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Here's everything you need to know about Best Ex's new EP, 'Good At Feeling Bad' |url=https://www.upsetmagazine.com/features/best-ex-ep-good-at-feeling-bad |access-date=2022-03-28 |website=Upset |language=en}}</ref> Loveland later explained her decision to distance herself from the pop punk genre, relaunching Best Ex with heavy electronic and pop influences<ref>{{Cite web |last=admin |date=2019-11-19 |title=a conversation with best ex's mariel loveland on her new musical direction |url=https://easeupmag.com/a-conversation-with-best-exs-mariel-loveland-on-her-new-musical-direction/ |access-date=2022-03-28 |website=ease up magazine |language=en-US}}</ref> and signing to No Sleep Records.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-06-05 |title=Best Ex Gets 'Good At Feeling Bad' |url=https://americansongwriter.com/best-ex-good-at-feeling-bad-album-feature/ |access-date=2022-03-28 |website=American Songwriter |language=en-US}}</ref>

In May 2020, amidst on-and-off coronavirus lockdowns, Best Ex released ''Good At Feeling Bad.''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Quarantine Diaries: Best Ex Singer Mariel Loveland Is Playing Ukulele & Watching Brad Mondo Hair Videos |url=https://www.grammy.com/ |access-date=2022-03-28 |website=www.grammy.com}}</ref> Earmilk described the single as a "gorgeous contrast of melancholic lyrics against a pounding club beat."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Album Review: Best Ex - Good At Feeling Bad |url=https://earmilk.com/album-reviews/best-ex-good-at-feeling-bad/ |access-date=2022-09-19 |website=EARMILK |date=22 May 2020 |language=en-US}}</ref> Loveland promoted the release in a virtual concert tribute to Joey Ramone with We Are Scientists and The Futureheads.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pearis |first=Bill|title=Joey Ramone Birthday tribute to feature mems Buffalo Tom, Art Brut, Futureheads, more |url=https://www.brooklynvegan.com/joey-ramone-birthday-tribute-to-feature-mems-buffalo-tom-art-brut-futureheads-more/ |access-date=2022-09-19 |website=BrooklynVegan |date=9 March 2021 |language=en}}</ref>

In 2022, Loveland signed to Iodine Recordings<ref>{{Cite web |last=Iodine Recordings |title=Iodine Recordings on Instagram: "Welcome Best Ex to Iodine Recordings! |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CeTp-nurvpm/ |access-date=2022-09-19 |website=Instagram |language=en}}</ref> and released ''With a Smile'', the project's first LP, in 2023.

The following year, she briefly reunited with Candy Hearts at The Fest for the 10-year anniversary of 'All The Ways You Let Me Down.' <ref>{{Cite web |title=Instagram |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/C5yOLwiN8WW/ |access-date=2025-08-17 |website=www.instagram.com}}</ref> == Discography == === LPs === *''With a Smile'' (2023)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Harris |first=Will |date=2023-11-28 |title=Mariel Loveland of Best Ex on Leaving the Candy Hearts Behind and the Partial Delusion Required to Make It in Music |url=https://qthemusic.com/p/the-q-interview-mariel-loveland-of-best-ex/ |access-date=2023-11-30 |website=Q Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== EPs === *''Ice Cream Anti-Social'' (2017)<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-07-14 |title=Best Ex (formerly Candy Hearts) balance punk and pop on sugar-coated debut EP |url=https://www.altpress.com/features/best_ex_ice_cream_anti_social_review/ |access-date=2022-03-28 |website=Alternative Press Magazine |language=en}}</ref> *''Good At Feeling Bad'' (2020)<ref>{{Cite web |title=PREMIERE: Best Ex Announces "Good at Feeling Bad" EP with "On My Mind" Video |url=https://floodmagazine.com/74756/premiere-best-ex-announces-good-at-feeling-bad-ep-with-on-my-mind-video/ |access-date=2022-03-28 |website=FLOOD |language=en}}</ref>

=== Singles === *"Die for you (Soft Faith Remix)" (2024) <ref>{{Cite web |title=Best Ex Enlist Soft Faith for a Valentine’s Day Remix of "Die for You" |url=https://floodmagazine.com/153848/best-ex-soft-faith-die-for-you-remix-first-listen/ |access-date=2024-09-25 |website=FLOOD |language=en}}</ref> *"Nightlife Alone" by Soft Faith (2024) *"I Promise to Ruin Your Life (The Kickdrums Remix)" (2024)

== References == {{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Best Ex}} Category:Indie pop groups from New Jersey Category:Singer-songwriters from New Jersey Category:American indie rock groups Category:Alcopop! Records artists Category:Musical groups from Bergen County, New Jersey