8/10

Rebecca Lucy Taylor, better known as Self Esteem, returns with 'A Complicated Woman', an album that not only meets the towering expectations set by her previous work, but kicks down the door and dances on the wreckage. The record is a vibrant, defiant declaration that refuses to shrink or simplify.

Building on the fearless foundation of 'Prioritise Pleasure', Taylor expands her creative universe even further here. The record pulses with her signature inner monologues, but this time they unfold against a backdrop that feels more expansive, more luminous, and even more urgent. Synths shimmer, beats punch through the mix, and Taylor’s voice, both intimate and thunderous, binds it all together.

What truly elevates 'A Complicated Woman' is its human architecture. Layered throughout the album is a living, breathing chorus of friends, collaborators, and kindred spirits. Its community rendered audible, the sound of solidarity stitched into every refrain. From acclaimed singers like Nadine Shah and Moonchild Sanelly to unexpected yet perfect additions like actress Julie Hesmondhalgh, the album feels like a communal offering as much as a personal statement.

Self Esteem doesn’t just chronicle complicated womanhood; she embodies it, celebrates it, and demands space for it. 'A Complicated Woman' is a record that is unapologetically bold, gorgeously messy, and profoundly life-affirming. It’s not just an album; it’s an invitation to embrace all your contradictions, and sing them at full volume.