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Telegraph
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Self Esteem, A Complicated Woman, review: deserves to be heard live
'Be very careful what you wish for.' Rebecca Taylor, who performs as Self Esteem, begins her third album almost in medias res, with spoken word that picks up the thread of 2021's I Do This All The Time. That lightning-in-a-bottle single, and its parent album Prioritise Pleasure, won over a generation of women and sent Taylor skyward: Mercury and Brit nominations, casting in the West End as Sally Bowles in Cabaret and another West End run of five sold-out theatrical performances of her new album, one of which saw Madonna in the audience. No wonder that A Complicated Woman's opening track is more stage monologue than pop song, given her recent experience treading the boards. 'I'm not complaining, I'm whinging in a new way,' she tells us, examining the trappings of fame. Fame, for 38-year-old Taylor – who found recognition in her mid thirties, which is unusual for this youth-obsessed industry – has been complicated. 'Call me anything you want,' Taylor sings. 'Time's not on my side.' She finished A Complicated Woman at the height of Brat summer last year, and felt self-conscious about making such an earnest album at the opposite end of her thirties to 32-year-old Charli XCX. Tracks such as Mother, Lies, and 69 — a roll call of favourite sex positions — lean into that clubbier sound, but it's clear Taylor doesn't need to pretend to be a messy party girl to win accolades. On Self Esteem albums, the message, though a vital one — exposing the contradictions of being a woman in your thirties — tends to outshine the music. Take away the empowering lyrics of lead song Focus Is Power, and what's left might sound like a corny charity single. Taylor aimed for 'sing-along stadium tropes' on this new album, mainly achieved via a sizeable chorus who lend their lungs to many of its tracks, often to rousing effect: the chorus bolster guest Moonchild Sanelly's cry of 'what the f— you want from me?' on In Plain Sight, and add sway to alcohol dependency ode The Curse: 'I wouldn't do it if it didn't f—ing work / but it really works / and that's the curse.' Occasionally, the voices cloy. 'If you know, you know,' they croon on What Now: the kind of platitude that only Lana Del Rey can get away with. Despite the choral boost, Taylor's music only really unleashes its full power on stage — it deserves to be experienced live. Just listen to The Deep Blue Okay, the final track on A Complicated Woman: its exultant, urgent piano chords that build and build — like those of LCD Soundsystem's All My Friends — beg to be danced to with all your friends, in a room full of people who feel the same way. Kate French-Morris Best New Songs By Poppie Platt Addison Rae, Headphones On With her debut album set for release on June 6, pop's hottest new star and former TikTok mega-influencer Addison Rae goes for full-blown glamour in her new video… by strolling around Iceland. I don't get it either. But Headphones On is another banger: a deliciously nostalgic hybrid of Janet Jackson and prime-era Britney. Future Utopia (featuring Lava La Rue), The Pleasure Trap Producer to the stars Future Utopia – who has worked with Adele and grime veterans Stormzy and Dave – teams up with rising British star Lava La Rue on this infectiously trippy, synth-heavy anthem. Lorde, What Was That She wrote pop masterpieces Royals and Ribs when she was just 16, released one of the 21st century's finest albums with 2017's Melodrama, and last year broke the internet with her feature with Charli XCX on Girl, So Confusing. Lorde is, usually, one step ahead of the curve; a singularly interesting pop star. Which all makes her hotly anticipated new single What Was That even more disappointing. There's cringey discussion about mainlining MDMA and idolising cigarettes that make her sound like a Christian youth camper trying to be rebellious. It'll probably be the biggest hit of the summer regardless. Pearl Charles, Just What It Is A gorgeously wistful Americana track about forgiving your past self and accepting the dark elements of your past from one of LA's rising stars. PinkPantheress, Stateside Another garage-influenced slice of Y2K euphoria from PinkPantheress, her whispery, deliberately cutesy vocals offering welcome respite from the frantic bass. Charli XCX collaborator and indie darling The Dare co-produced. Sam Fender, Tyrants Not content with having scored another Number 1 with his third album, People Watching, North Shields' answer to Springsteen finally drops this searing, guitar-led fan-favourite that was previously only available on vinyl and is now sure to storm up the charts.
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Popular musician announces two shows in Glasgow as part of UK tour
A popular musician is coming to Glasgow as part of her upcoming UK tour. Self Esteem, best known for songs like I Do This All The Time and Big Man, will be performing two shows at the Barrowland Ballroom in the East End of the city. The gigs will take place on September 20 and 21. READ NEXT: Ska pop legends announce December Hydro show with huge support act (Image: Picture credit: Scarlett Carlos Clarke) The shows will follow her upcoming album, A Complicated Woman, which is set to be released on April 25. READ NEXT: Huge Scots actor announced as host of Bafta TV awards 2025 Tickets for the upcoming Glasgow shows will go on sale at 10am on Friday, March 28. Fans who pre-order A Complicated Woman will gain access to pre-sale tickets. To purchase tickets, visit See Tickets.
