Self Esteem - A Complicated Woman

'A Complicated Woman' feels like a direct follow-up to 2021 sophomore sensation 'Prioritise Pleasure', as Rebecca Lucy Taylor (aka Self Esteem) finds her feet in the world after shaking off the trauma of past relationships. She places empowering war cries ('Focus is Power') next to soul-bearing moments of bleak realism ('I Do and I Don't Care') to create a landscape that is representative of what it's like to be a woman in these Orwellian times, creating a rollercoaster ride that flies through topics of sexuality, the boundaries of self, and the pressure of social contracts, told through ominous dance-pop, string quartets, and Self Esteem's searingly accurate social poetry.

There is a freedom to this record, not necessarily in a carefree way, more in a trepidatious, eyes-wide-open-to-the-tragedy-of-modern-living sort of way. Whether it's Moonchild Sanelly's cries of 'what the fuck d'you want from me?' on 'In Plain Sight', or Taylor's asking, 'if I'm looking out for you, who's looking out for me?' on 'Mother', this album is her screaming questions out to the universe and hoping for answers that haven't yet come. There is also a high-camp flick through the Karma Sutra in '69', acting as both a soon-to-be Drag Race lip sync challenge and an ode to Taylor's determination to live unburdened by expectation.

Sonically, Taylor underscores her frustrations through arena rock drums on 'Lies (ft. Nadine Shah)' and lays bare her vulnerability through soft piano and choral vocal on 'What Now', before ultimately resolving to keep putting one foot in front of the other in piano-pop anthem 'The Deep Blue Okay'.

Self Esteem shoots from the hip, strikes at the heart, and sends you on a journey to the centre of her soul. Turns out the third time really is the charm.