Alcopop! Records are doing pretty well right now, aren’t they? Latest signing Best Ex, formerly Candy Hearts, is set to add another string to their bow with latest release ‘Ice Cream Anti Social’. Proud and poppy, it’s different to what you’d expect from the previously pop rocking group.
‘Girlfriend’ opens the EP full of energy and determination. With lyrics like “kiss me like you don’t want it to end ‘cause I don’t really care about your girlfriend,” however, it rates pretty highly on the ‘Misery Business’ scale of ‘catchy song but shame about the questionable morals’. Vocalist Mariel Loveland sounds like Rilo Kiley’s Jenny Lewis in moments of the track, but it – like second song ‘Lonely Life’ – is a little too sickly sweet.
‘February 4th’, in contrast, sheds the synths and saccharine sound for a minimalistic echo. It’s a moment of rest in a full-on onslaught of glitter and sweetness which – in the same way you can’t continuously eat pick ‘n’ mix without a break – is desperately needed. ‘See You Again’ steers on another course and begins with an introduction Chvrches would be proud of, before a nod to the band’s previous efforts with dancing guitars and mild drums.
Gone is the Avril Lavigne guitar pop, replaced with a style reminiscent of Hellogoodbye. As ‘Jellyfish’ ends the EP with a winning combination of ukulele and melody, Best Ex confirm they certainly won’t be for everyone but – for those who’ll like it – their sugary, synth-driven pop is a winner.
KATHRYN BLACK