Rebecca Taylor from Self Esteem discusses bringing her 'Complicated' album to the West End stage
Self Esteem, the empowering pop act led by Rebecca Taylor, is set to release her third album, A Complicated Woman, on 25 April via Polydor. The album will be presented as an 'ambitious quasi-theatrical experience' at London's Duke of York's theatre from 16-19 April.
Taylor's solo project, which began after her time in the multi-instrumentalist band Slow Club, has gained significant acclaim. Her breakthrough second album, Prioritise Pleasure, released in 2021, earned her a Mercury Prize nomination and a top spot on The Guardian's Album of the Year list.
For A Complicated Woman, Taylor is blending her two loves: theatre and music. She has drawn inspiration from Peter Gabriel's 1994 tour, Secret World, and her time in the musical Cabaret. Taylor expressed a sense of excitement about more talented women getting listened to and receiving budgets, mentioning Sabrina Carpenter and Chappell Roan as artists who were not part of the global zeitgeist the last time she put out a record.
The costumes for "A Complicated Woman" feature contemporary, everyday clothing that reflect the personal and emotional journey of the protagonist, while the stage design is minimalist with a focus on intimate settings, using simple furniture and lighting to create a deeply personal atmosphere.
Taylor has had a demanding live show for years but never gave herself the respect she gave to her character Sally Bowles in Cabaret. She anticipates that the shows for A Complicated Woman will have a gig-like atmosphere and strong audience connection.
Taylor is considering making A Complicated Woman less grandiose and focusing more on people and truth. She feels that visual aesthetics have been oversaturated, leading her to focus more on the human element in her work.
Tickets for all shows of Self Esteem go on general sale at 10am on 5 February via selfestem.love. Don't miss this unique and intimate theatre experience from one of the most exciting artists in pop music today.
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