Self Esteem - Compliments Please

From folk-tinged indie to hip-hop inspired pop, Self Esteem (aka Rebecca Taylor, once of Slow Club) has changed the record as her new alter ego provides an exceptionally welcome fresh start for the Yorkshire-born songwriter.

For those who haven't heard Self Esteem’s singles to date and are expecting callbacks to her former band, there’s not a flicker present. There's no doubting that this is an opportunity to flourish and do things her way without feeling obstructed or less valuable than she deserves to be.

An incredibly personal record, Taylor lets her emotions loose and doesn’t hold back when it comes to telling the stories of what sounds like an arduous journey. This raw honesty is refreshing, and there’s never any hiding behind gimmicks, the focus on firmly on the creator as she bares her soul.

These songs have been a long time coming in Taylor’s mind. The manner in which she’s so able to channel vulnerabilities into tools for her advantage is a real strength. To paraphrase Taylor’s own words, no one is going to mess with her now.

Ciaran Steward