“Just Don’t Shave Your Minge If You Can’t Be Arsed. Don’t Shave Your Legs. It Doesn’t Really Matter, No-one Cares”
It’s her closing tip from her ‘5 Feminist Commandments’ for popular women’s title ‘Glamour’ – along with: “Don’t take any shit off the person you’re going out with, just because you’re scared of being alone. Being alone is WAY better than being treated badly”, and: “The Only Person To Please Is Yourself”.
This is the voice of a woman owning it – it’s been a thrill to watch this self-confessed one-time ‘choir nerd’ chart a path through a career as one half of indie faves Slow Club, to become the captivating solo pop artist; Self Esteem.
Although it was as far back as 2015 that Rebecca Lucy Taylor started directing her creativity to an Instagram account under the name ‘Self Esteem’, it wasn’t until 2017 that her first solo work under that name materialised, with single “Your Wife”, exploring themes of infidelity, manipulation and illicit affairs.
2019 brought with it her debut studio album “Compliments Please”, written in part during a happy relationship, and in other part (“Rollout”, “In Time” and “I’m Shy”), during the aftermath of it. The release sees Taylor begin to lift the lid on an empowering creativity, bubbling back and forth between glib commentary, mustering self-talk and irreverent resignation, amongst other themes. It was something ‘standout’ – she was making waves and her card was marked by many – fans and industry alike – as ‘one to watch’.
If her first album turned heads, as she sharpened her wit and took aim with her clever lyricism – then follow-up “Prioritise Pleasure” left those heads nodding in universal approval, at accolades such as a nomination for the Mercury Prize, a BRIT Award for Best New Artist, NME Awards, Sky Arts and so on, as they all came rolling in.
“Look up, lean back, be strong…”
Commended for addressing key issues around female autonomy, and harmful comparison culture, “I Do This All The Time” from the album was named The Guardian’s number 1 song of 2021, and the album was hailed as both The Guardian and Sunday Times Culture’s ‘Album of the Year’.
The first new material since her debut album, “I Do This All The Time” saw Taylor traverse in only a few minutes, a range of considerations and sentiments of such breadth that, for many, it encapsulated the challenges of navigating day-to-day life.
The track shared reflections, nuggets of advice, and delivered a witty critique of common references: ”You’re a good tall girl, you’re a good sturdy girl…”. Oft-repeated phrases called up for consideration with such artful subtlety, they’re immediately transmuted from the (if well-intentioned, certainly banal -) ‘encouragement’ they were so often used for, into a wry, empowering reminder of some of the obstacles women surmount.
A call to resilience, and to stand in your power; to “Look up, lean back, be strong…”
Pursuing what has continued to develop into a varied creative career, between 2023-2024 there was plenty of opportunity to see Taylor standing in her own power – treading the boards in London’s West End! Diversifying somewhat, she set aside for a moment the giant mound of awards and commendations she’d received for album “Prioritise Pleasure”, and danced into the lead role of Sally Bowles in the multiple Olivier Award-winning production of “Cabaret” at the Kit Kat Club – further adding to her army of fans.
Also starring in a regular role in the Sky series “Smothered” as her acting career continued to develop, Taylor featured on Becky Hill track “True Colours” (from 2024 album “Believe Me Now?”), as well as sharing a one-off collaborative single with Moonchild Sanelly, “Big Man”, (summer 2024).
In September “Love Second Music First” – a song first shown the light of day towards the end of the “Prioritise Pleasure” tour, was released as a b-side to “Big Man”, and a cover of “You Can Get It If You Really Want” was recorded for the soundtrack to the BBC series “This Town”.
2024 also saw the busy creative recording her third album “A Complicated Woman”, and in January 2025 track “Focus Is Power” was shared, originally penned during the pandemic – along with the announcement of the new album, which was ultimately released earlier this year on Polydor, representing Self Esteem’s major label debut.
From “A Complicated Woman”
It’s a huge moment in the career of this artist, often dubbed one of the most exciting breakout stars of the past decade! She’s evolved as a cult favourite and then a mainstream icon – to become today the unapologetic pop star she always wanted to be.
Her career may have developed in leaps and bounds, but fans will have been pleased to hear that her latest release contains all of the artist’s usual musical ingredients! An effortless navigation of the feelings women often endure, with complex thought chains unfolding throughout – this time with the help of a jubilant choir made up of dozens of mostly female voices! Close friends, her band and collaborators; singer-songwriters Nadine Shah, Moonchild Sanelly & Sue Tompkins from Life Without Buildings – a personal hero, the drag queen Meatball and a bona fide Lancaster legend, the actress Julie Hesmondhalgh, to name a few!
The resultant feel of the album is ‘bigger’, and brighter; exhilarating. It’s about taking control of your life, as summed up in first single “Focus Is Power”, originally inspired by words Taylor wrote on a sticker, working from her mum and dad’s shed in the pandemic: “You see, it wasn’t up to me but now it could be / But now I see it clear with every passing of each year / I deserve to be here…”.
These lyrics became an incantation when given voice to by the choir, anthemic – as brought to life by the accompanying music video, shot by long time collaborator Piers Dennis, with its community hall performance.
All-in-all it’s an exciting time for this accomplished artist, who, with a burgeoning fanbase, has this year announced her biggest tour to date, including a return to the stage in Brighton, this time at the Brighton Centre.
Don’t miss this chance whilst she’s here on our doorstep, to see the perfect example of self esteem manifested in all its glory, as Self Esteem manifests in all her glory!
Get Your Tickets:
The show takes place at the Brighton Centre October 17th, doors 6.30pm.
Tickets available at time of publishing here: SELF ESTEEM BRIGHTON TICKETS
Buy The Music:
Third album “A Complicated Woman” is out now, buy it here: www.selfesteem.love
“A Complicated Woman” – Full Track-Listing:
1. I Do And I Don’t Care
2. Focus Is Power
3. Mother
4. The Curse
5. Logic, Bitch! ft Sue Tompkins
6. Cheers To Me
7. If Not Now, It’s Soon
8. In Plain Sight ft Moonchild Sanelly
9. Lies ft Nadine Shah
10. 69
11. What Now
12. The Deep Blue Okay
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