British alt-pop singer Rebecca Lucy Taylor, known under her stage name Self Esteem, has released her latest album ‘A Complicated Woman’ on Friday, 25 April. The album consists of 12 uplifting songs with an expressive choral sound that the singer is known for since her 2021 album ‘Prioritise Pleasure’, which had great success and peaked at number 11 in the UK Album Charts. 

‘A Complicated Woman’ provides a feel-good sound while tackling hard hitting issues for the singer surrounding ageing, drinking and sexuality. 

Alongside the album release, Self Esteem has shared a music video for the closing track ‘The Deep Blue Okay’. The video shows the singer alone in a dark backdrop in a costume inspired by ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’, the hit TV show which highlights themes of female oppression and identity. Self Esteem has stated in an interview with The Times that this costume is “my nod to women being hanged for having opinions”. She peels this off as she sings, eventually expressing the emotionally charged track in a sweatshirt and joggers.

Self Esteem has performed a series of UK acoustic shows in the week of her album release at smaller venues such as Leeds Beckett Student Union and Pryzm, Kingston. She shared intimate performances of her most vulnerable songs to fans, including ‘I Do This All The Time’ from ‘Prioritise Pleasure’.

@tigerb.ph the day this song doesn’t make me cry will be a miracle #selfesteem #rebeccalucytaylor #idothisallthetime #prioritisepleasure #acomplicatedwoman #newmusic #newalbum #acoustic #livemusic #leeds #yorkshiremusic #focusispower #fyp #6music @SELF ESTEEM ♬ original sound – Tiger Brooke

The bold, experimental singer has an impressive performance background, having previously been involved in the indie band Slow Club formed in 2006 in which she played drums, guitar and vocals. Following this, Taylor broke out as a solo pop artist, sharing in an interview with The Guardian that she was “tired of being this sweet heterosexual lady in a band”. With her new stage name, she has released three studio albums with her debut ‘Compliments Please’ in 2019. 

Self Esteem has also made her mark in the world of theatre as she has in the pop music scene, making her West End acting debut with her role in Cabaret in 2023.

Her experience in musical theatre has led to exciting music efforts for the artist. To set off the album release, Self Esteem put on a show-stopping performance of ‘A Complicated Woman’ at London’s Duke of York’s Theatre.  The performance showcases dynamic choreography for dance-pop track ‘Mother’, contrasting with a choral, emotive rendition of the poetically striking track ‘In Plain Sight’. Fans have shared their amazement at the theatrical recreation of the album on social media.  

@firth_ Self Esteem presents A COMPLICATED WOMAN Every time I close my eyes this show is playing over and over and I never want that to stop. @SELF ESTEEM #selfesteem #acomplicatedwoman #complicatedwoman #getRLTtonumber10 #rlt #prioritisepleasure ♬ original sound – laura

Self Esteem will be embarking on a UK and Ireland tour for her latest album in September 2025. Tickets can be found on her website.