Sometimes, the sweetest form of revenge is doing absolutely nothing and letting karma handle the rest. Best Ex, the indie-pop project led by Mariel Loveland, embraces that idea with “Living In Hell,” a darkly playful new single that turns post-breakup frustration into a satisfying fantasy of minor misfortunes. The track arrives ahead of the project’s sophomore album, Good Girl, due November 6 via Iodine Recordings.
Sophomore Album Good Girl, Out November 6
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Rather than imagining some elaborate scheme to get even with someone who caused her pain, Loveland takes a far more humorous approach. What if the person who hurt you simply endured an endless string of irritating little inconveniences? A cracked phone screen, a terrible day, or one frustrating mishap after another might not sound like much, but sometimes the thought of someone facing their own consequences is enough to bring a little peace.
For Loveland, the song became an opportunity to bring some levity to an album that explores the more complicated realities of growing up. She describes “Living In Hell” as a chance to create something cathartic and silly, allowing listeners to acknowledge their less-than-generous feelings without taking themselves too seriously. Its appeal lies in that familiar contradiction: wanting someone to understand the hurt they caused, while ultimately recognizing that you don’t need to be the person who teaches them that lesson.
That realization gives the single more depth than its mischievous premise might initially suggest. Loveland explores the idea that closure doesn’t have to come from confrontation or seeing someone apologize. Sometimes, moving forward means accepting that another person’s behavior will follow them through life, while you reclaim the energy you once spent being hurt by it.
“Living In Hell” also completes the writing process for Good Girl, becoming the final track Loveland penned for the record. While the upcoming album tackles anxiety, grief, identity, shifting relationships, and the uncertainty of adulthood, this latest release introduces a welcome dose of irreverence. It makes room for the messy, occasionally petty emotions that accompany healing, reminding listeners that not every difficult experience needs to be approached with solemnity.
The single follows a run of releases that reveal different sides of Best Ex’s forthcoming album. The title track, “Good Girl,” challenges the expectations placed on women to define themselves through their relationships with others. “Is This It?” confronts the exhaustion of political division and relentless negative headlines, while “Sick Of Myself” turns inward to explore insecurity and the anxiety of being trapped in your own thoughts. “Losing Streak” offers a gentler perspective on life’s disappointments, encouraging listeners to find something worthwhile amid circumstances they cannot control.
Together, these songs suggest that Good Girl is shaping up to be a candid exploration of what it means to navigate adulthood without having everything figured out. With “Living In Hell,” Best Ex adds a sharp sense of humor to that conversation, transforming the familiar sting of heartbreak into a reminder that sometimes the best revenge is simply getting on with your life.
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