Best Ex
Best Ex is a solo alternative project formed in 2017 by former Candy Hearts vocalist and songwriter, Mariel Loveland. With Loveland at the helm, Best Ex initially began as an offshoot of Candy Hearts before finding its footing as the artist's solo endeavor. In 2017, the band announced the project, enlisted The Kickdrums as a producer, and released their first EP, "Ice Cream Anti-Social", on Alcopop Records. They embarked on a co-headlining tour of the U.S. with Shane Henderson of Valencia before making a brief return to the final run of Warped Tour in 2018 . When Loveland returned home, she found herself at a crossroads, unsure of where to go with her new project. After nearly a decade of touring, she struggled to adjust to a stationary life off the road, penning an essay in Billboard about her experience. Loveland ultimately distanced herself from the pop punk genre, and relaunched Best Ex as an indie pop solo endeavor, with heavy electronic and pop influences. She enlisted Andy Tongren of Young Rising Sons as producer, and recorded what would become "Good At Feeling Bad" in his kitchen. Loveland later signed to No Sleep Records and released  the EP in May 2020 amidst on-and-off coronavirus lockdowns. In 2022, Best Ex was named one of NJ.com's 32 artists to watch.