In A Complicated Woman, Rebecca Lucy Taylor, known as Self Esteem, delivers a potent and nuanced exploration of identity, societal expectations, and the multifaceted realities of womanhood. This compelling third studio album showcases her fearless sincerity and remarkable musical versatility, seamlessly weaving together diverse genres to craft an enthralling landscape that powerfully mirrors its central themes. The album’s striking cover, a visual echo of The Handmaid’s Tale, immediately conveys a spectrum of raw emotion that resonates deeply with contemporary dialogues surrounding female empowerment and autonomy. From the very first note to the poignant final strains, Taylor invites listeners on an unflinching and candid journey into unexpressed truths and the intricate nature of self.
The opening track, “I Do And I Don’t Care,” immediately establishes the album’s distinctive and emotionally charged atmosphere. Here, starkly honest assertions intertwine with a hauntingly beautiful choral refrain, resolutely grounded by a pulsating bassline and yearning string arrangements. This compelling interplay of fragility and inner strength is further amplified by fragmented spoken-word interludes, effectively setting the stage for Taylor’s deeply introspective exploration. In sharp and invigorating contrast, the anthemic lead single, “Focus Is Power,” erupts with a vibrant wave of collective energy, characterised by layers of resonant female vocals and uplifting chord progressions that forge an immediate sense of shared empowerment.
The album’s brilliance truly shines through its intentional and often stark contrasts. The heavy, churning electronic beat of “Mother” signals a dramatic and visceral shift in tone, fearlessly tackling the complexities of codependency with a raw and almost confrontational intensity. Subsequently, in “The Curse,” Taylor delves into the poignant and relatable dependencies formed through coping mechanisms, her unflinching honesty leaving a profound and lingering impact on the listener. “Logic, Bitch!” offers a breathtaking moment of ethereal beauty, showcasing delicate instrumentation from swirling violins and pianos alongside Sue Tompkins’ sublime harmonies, culminating in a stunning and emotionally resonant crescendo. Even the seemingly lighter, synth-pop-infused “Cheers to Me” is imbued with a subtle yet potent emotional undercurrent, while the richly textured instrumentation of “If Not Now, It’s Soon” builds into a soaring and empowering anthem of resolute self-belief.
The latter half of A Complicated Woman further solidifies its thematic weight and artistic strength. Notably, the collaboration with Moonchild Sanelly on the captivating “In Plain Sight” stands out, its moody acoustic guitar and subtly building electronic textures creating an intensely engaging atmosphere ripe for introspection. The track “Lies,” featuring the strikingly evocative vocals of Nadine Shah, unleashes a raw and visceral intensity through layers of distorted vocals and an authentic lyrical frustration that resonates with a powerful and unsettling truth. The unexpected industrial clang and rhythmic pulse of “69” introduce a jarring yet undeniably intriguing sonic diversion, boldly pushing the boundaries of the album’s established soundscape. In stark and beautiful contrast, the almost entirely a cappella piece, “What Now,” offers a profoundly vulnerable and exposed glimpse into Taylor’s raw emotional landscape, inviting listeners into an intimate space. The album’s concluding track, “The Deep Blue Okay,” carried by shimmering piano melodies and Taylor’s impassioned vocal delivery, culminates in a hard-won sense of triumph and catharsis, perfectly encapsulating the album’s overarching journey towards self-acceptance amidst the often-harsh realities of societal expectations.
A Complicated Woman stands as Self Esteem at her most compelling and artistically realised – a powerful and essential work that fearlessly confronts the intricacies of womanhood and societal pressures with remarkable sonic innovation and an unwavering, profoundly resonant honesty.
