Mariel Loveland‘s journey from her days with pop punk Candy Hearts to the current pop-diary-confessional soundscapes of Best Ex has culminated in the splendid debut album, With a Smile.
If one were to mix the saccharine of Taylor Swift plus the less doomy and moody side of Lana Del Ray, then you’d find Best Ex walking the line between the two artists, plucking their essence and crafting it to her own.
From her past projects to her current one, the DIY mentality has served Best Ex well. Tracks like “I Promise To Ruin Your Life,” revels in the excitement of newfound crushes while songs like “Tell Your Friends” explores the societal pressure on women to conform and title track “With A Smile,” delves into the feeling of being too much and the facade of a fake smile. Further into With a Smile, songs like “Cut Me Out” reflect on losing female friendships or “Joyride” which challenges cynicism when it comes to falling into or finding love.
Each song on the album offers a unique perspective on life’s complexities and it’s Best Ex’s ability to infuse lightness that sets the tone for With a Smile. It also shows her willingness to confront life’s challenges head-on and is an invitation for others to explore themes of anxiety, womanhood, love, and self-doubt with honesty and vulnerability.
With a Smile is an introspective journey that showcases Best Ex’s evolution as an artist. With a blend of indie-pop sensibilities and heartfelt lyricism, the album is evident to her growth and the life-changing experiences that have shaped her.
MUST LISTEN TRACKS: “What the Hell”, “Joyride (Glad You Found Me”, “I Promise to Ruin Your Life”, “Die for You”
FAVOURITE TRACKS: “What the Hell”, “Daylight”
