Sometimes, songs trigger old memories. Case in point: Ainsley Costello’s EXLESS instantly reminded me of an old standup comedy routine I saw as a young girl. The clip was already at least 20 years old, but the message made me realize how much I relate to this song. You see, my grandmother had the highest expectations of me. “So, when are you finding a nice boy and getting married? When are you having children? When am I going to be a great-grandmother?” I don’t know, grams, maybe when you do something wonderful? (insert laugh track.) OK, I borrowed that last bit from that old clip, but it perfectly encapsulates how older generations view today’s single women. Mostly, they don’t “get” having a husband and children no longer define us. And they certainly don’t understand how we can have all the benefits of a relationship without the messy entanglements. Just cause I’m not crushing
Don’t mean I’m not having fun, she sings.
Ainsley Costello’s EXLESS is a fearless celebration of that. It’s for any woman who has ever been told that a relationship is the key to happiness and laughed at the idea. Packed with pop hooks, rock energy, and a spirit that refuses to be boxed in, EXLESS delivers a message that sticks: You don’t need an ex (or a current, for that matter) to prove anything.
“This song is about embracing where you are in life right now, loving yourself, and knowing that you’re enough just as you are,” Ainsley says. “I wanted EXLESS to be something I didn’t hear growing up. There’s so much more to write about than just love and heartbreak.”
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EXLESS rewrites the rules. It skips past the usual heartbreak themes and asks why people treat love like a finish line. “What’s your damage, honey? What’s the fuss about? Tell me what I’m missing—am I really missing out?” Her voice glides over surging guitars and an infectious beat, daring listeners to dance while questioning everything they’ve been told.
Produced by Nickolas Wheeler of The All-American Rejects, EXLESS blends glossy production with high-energy postpunk. The spirit of Paramore fuels the guitars, the pop hooks echo Carly Rae Jepsen, and the bold attitude channels The Go-Go’s. and The Ting Tings. The sound is fresh, full of life, and impossible to ignore.
She refuses to chase romance just because the world says she should. “What’s the rush to feel the rush? There’s plenty of time to fall in love. Am I wrong in thinking heartbreak doesn’t sound too fun?” Instead of longing for someone else, she celebrates the joy of feeling good on her own: “Never crying over someone so replaceable. I am getting closer to finally feeling comfortable.”
The chorus erupts into a chant that begs to be shouted from rooftops: E-X-L-E-S-S! E-X-L-E-S-S! Each repetition hammers the point home. This isn’t a song against love. It’s a song about knowing you don’t need it to be whole.
At 20, Costello stands at the forefront of a new era for independent artists. A Magna Cum Laude graduate from Berklee College of Music, she has mastered the business behind the music. Web3 and lightning-enabled technology fuel her vision, giving artists a new way to connect with fans and build careers on their own terms.
Her drive reaches beyond catchy melodies and powerhouse vocals. She’s shaping the future of music, leading the way while many others struggle to catch up.
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EXLESS arrives like a breath of fresh air. It pushes back against a world obsessed with romance and replaces outdated ideas with a message of self-celebration. Ainsley Costello lives the independence she sings about, turning it into an invitation for anyone who feels the same way.
This track belongs on every playlist, ready to be blasted in the car, danced to in a bedroom, or used as a playful reminder that happiness doesn’t come from a plus-one.
With sharp lyrics, boundless energy, and a fearless voice, EXLESS carries a message that deserves to be heard. Ainsley Costello is making music on her own terms, and this is only the beginning.
