It’s been three years since the release of her Mercury Prize-nominated album Prioritise Pleasure, and anticipation for Self Esteem’s next chapter has been steadily building. Now, the wait is nearly over – A Complicated Woman is set to be released this Friday. In the years between albums, Rebecca Lucy Taylor made her acclaimed West End debut as Sally Bowles in Cabaret, an experience that clearly left a lasting impression. That theatrical influence shaped the way she chose to introduce her new record: by transforming London’s Duke of York’s Theatre into her own creative playground for a five-night run. There, she performed the album in full, unveiling it through a bold and genre-blurring production. Created in close collaboration with Tony Award-winning designer-director Tom Scutt, the show brought Rebecca’s vision vividly to life – a striking fusion of music, movement, and theatrical storytelling.
As the curtain rose, the stage revealed a striking image: Rebecca seated alone on a chair, her back to the audience. Clad in the iconic outfit from her album cover and nonchalantly smoking a cigarette, she set the tone for the evening with the opening track, ‘I Do and I Don’t Care’. Her commanding spoken-word delivery was soon enveloped by rich, layered harmonies as each vocalist emerged from the shadows to join her, their voices building to echo the title in a hypnotic, mantra-like refrain. In stark contrast, the lighting suddenly shifted to an ominous red for ‘Mother’. A fan favourite since its explosive debut during her 2023 UK tour, the track ignited the crowd and showcased Stuart Rogers’ brilliant choreography. Standing side by side at the front of the stage, the vocalists each experienced a glitch-like moment – convulsing as if they were possessed – before being theatrically dragged away, one by one, in a hauntingly synchronised display.
The album features an impressive lineup of special guests, sparking curiosity about how some of these tracks would come to life on stage. But with Rebecca and the incredibly gifted performers by her side, that was never a concern. One standout moment came with ‘Lies’, to which Nadine Shah lent her evocative vocals. Infused with a Bollywood-inspired melody – a bold and unique move, setting the song apart from typical pop structures – the track was utterly compelling throughout, with the performers seated on chairs in a circle, fostering a sense of connection. Starting with her head tilted back over her chair, Rebecca transitioned from sitting to standing on it, snarling the lyrics with fierce intensity as she confronted the lies we tell ourselves to protect others – a raw, unapologetic delivery that left a lasting impact. Rebecca relentlessly pushes back against the stigma that women should shy away from discussing sex, and this message resonated powerfully throughout the performance. As the song wrapped up, the stage transformed into a sensual tableau, with everyone striking suggestive poses and making seductive sounds, setting the perfect stage for the daring next track, ’69’. With its relentless, magnetic beat, the electrifying anthem was a true crowd-pleaser, as Rebecca’s playful lyrics – humorously rating different sex positions – were matched by cheeky choreography and visuals that had the audience both captivated and amused.
While the night was a celebration of the new album, the room was filled with loyal supporters of Rebecca and her creative journey, making the performance of ‘You Forever’ all the more special. Known for its infectious melody, the track’s signature slick choreography was taken to the next level with more than double the usual number of dancers on stage. The energy was electric as the performers’ choreography mirrored a fitness routine, with each one completely immersed in the exhilaration and infectious joy of the moment. The emotionally charged, string-driven ‘Logic Bitch!’ followed, shifting the focus entirely to Rebecca as the other performers hung back, almost as if in the quiet of a gym’s locker room. Rebecca’s strong yet delicate vocals carried a raw vulnerability as she whimsically used a banana as a phone, singing about the bittersweet truth that some people will always hold a special place in our hearts. Meanwhile, a banana was projected on the screen behind her, with a flourish of eccentric absurdity that beautifully offset the emotional gravity of the moment. ‘Logic Bitch!’ didn’t just follow an anthem, it bridged two – as the words “There is nothing that terrifies a man more than a woman who appears completely deranged” flashed across the screen in bold, towering font, Rebecca and her band teased the rumbling synth intro of ‘I’m Fine’ before bursting into ‘Prioritise Pleasure’. The stage pulsed with the beat, while the choreography intensified the song’s message, bringing it to life with vibrant, confident movements that perfectly echoed its theme of self-prioritisation.
With a playful remark that if she were a male rock star, this was the point in the show where she’d be sitting with a pint and an acoustic guitar, the tempo slowed as Rebecca was handed one to perform ‘The Curse’. It’s easy to overlook the breadth of her talents and though her production choices are truly extraordinary, she doesn’t rely on them to captivate; her talent stands on its own. Stripped back to just her voice and guitar, she delivered the song with poignant emotion, reflecting on her relationship with alcohol. The intimate performance was made even more powerful when the rest of the performers joined her, harmonising on the line, “I wouldn’t do it if it didn’t fucking work.” A bold, thought-provoking highlight of the album, ‘In Plain Sight’ was also a major standout moment in the show. In striking contrast to Rebecca’s calm, measured vocals, accompanied by the delicate plucking of guitar strings, Moonchild Sanelly – projected on the screen – delivered a powerful spoken-word passage that boldly addressed the disproportionate criticism women face when they dare to speak out in public. The audience fell completely silent as Rebecca and her band joined Moonchild’s impassioned cries, the tension in the air palpable. The atmosphere of the old theatre intensified the moment, with dramatic lighting casting a powerful aura that heightened the emotional charge.
A Complicated Woman marks Self Esteem’s third album, and the production reaches new heights, reflecting Rebecca’s recent experience in the West End. A standout example of this is ‘What Now’, which forgoes instrumentation entirely in favor of a chorus of harmonizing voices. During the live performance, the lights dimmed, and everyone on stage gathered around a single light, their arms wrapped around one another. This ethereal, unified sound infused the song with a profound sense of community – capturing the collective energy that defines Self Esteem’s live shows. The impact of this moment is further heightened by the fact that the harmonies are delivered by a carefully selected group of Rebecca’s closest friends, including the cherished members of her band.
‘Cheers to Me’, a surefire future single, was an absolute blast live, radiating pure fun and energy. Drummer Mike Park – who also serves as the show’s musical director – was wheeled onto the stage with his drum kit, surrounded by a flurry of disco lights. Rebecca’s wit and genuine personality make her an irresistibly lovable presence on stage, and the crowd couldn’t help but laugh at the vibrant backdrop, which humorously urged everyone to learn the track’s accompanying dance and share it on TikTok, so she could buy her parents a caravan. Buying her parents a caravan has been a long-standing goal for Rebecca, offering a glimpse into the kind of person she is. Unfortunately for Janet and Andy, Rebecca recently revealed that she’s spent most of the money she earned from Prioritise Pleasure on this show, meaning they might have to wait a little longer for their new home on wheels!
In addition to ’69‘, two other singles from the album have been released so far – ‘If Not Now, It’s Soon‘ and ‘Focus Is Power‘ – and were performed back to back. A track rooted in hope, perseverance, and patience, the former offered a poignant moment of reflection, with Rebecca and the performers harmonising softly, allowing its message to quietly resonate. Known for its spine-tingling choral arrangements, ‘Focus Is Power‘ delivered everything you could hope for in a live setting – emotionally charged, lyrically rich, and melodically stunning. The performance reached its peak in the final moments, as Rebecca and the ensemble delivered the closing lines a cappella, their voices echoing through the theatre with breathtaking sincerity.
While perched on the drum riser, Rebecca paused to express her gratitude, warmly acknowledging the support of her audience and creative collaborators. She effortlessly folded lines from ‘I Do This All The Time‘ into her speech, blurring the line between conversation and performance. Starting the track alone, it was a tender, grounding moment near the close of what was undoubtedly the most defining run of shows in her career so far. Moments after confessing to the audience that she often tries to do everything on her own – yet has cherished the experience of collaborating with others – it was deeply moving to see the rest of the performers join her as the track unfolded, embodying the very connection she had come to embrace.
As the uplifting notes of piano echoed through the theater, Rebecca made her return to the stage, bursting through the curtain to kick off the album’s closing track, ‘The Deep Blue Okay’. As the song unfolded, her bandmates – Levi Heaton, Seraphina Simone, and Marged Siôn – peeked through the curtain in a moment of comic relief before stepping forward to join her for the powerful, emotionally rich finale that eloquently encapsulated the track’s poignant acceptance of life’s complexities. As the night drew to a close and the cast took their final bows, the entire ensemble broke into a conga around the drum riser, beaming as Shirley Bassey’s ‘This Is My Life‘ soared through the speakers – a fittingly triumphant end to an unforgettable evening.
Self Esteem presents A Complicated Woman was more than just a concert – it was a daring, deeply human, and unapologetically theatrical experience that showcased every facet of Rebecca’s artistry. From biting wit to emotional vulnerability, sensual swagger to quiet reflection, the show offered a masterclass in storytelling, performance, and presence. It was a celebration of friendship, freedom, and feminine power, elevated by meticulous production and raw authenticity.
A Complicated Woman is due for release on 25th April 2025 and can be pre ordered from Self Esteem’s official website. She’s also embarking on a UK tour later in the year, which you can find tickets for here.
