There is a vision and direct energy emanating from the newest music from Rebecca Lucy Taylor, aka Self Esteem, in recent months that has the English solo artist’s forthcoming album Prioritise Pleasure.
Whether it’s the confessional empathetic ‘I Do This All The Time’ to the propulsive electro-gurning gospel title track and their accompanying videos, Taylor is approaching album two with a grand plan and executing it with a pop flair.
‘How Can I Help You’
The latest track from the album is ‘How Can I Help You’ features Taylor pounding a drum kit in both the song and video, and brandishes emotional anger and frustration at how men are giving an easy pass – “Over rewarded / Surrounded by over rewarded and easily praised / ‘Cause aren’t you a good boy? / Got your perfect life while nothing ever stood in your way.”
It’s a firebrand of a song….
Underscoring the song’s message, Taylor has addressed comments about the video where she is shot powerfully behind the drum kit, playing like a badass, who just happens to be a woman.
It’s a reclamation as she explains::
More spelling out: I’ve played the drums since I was 13. It was joyful and I was good at it but once I had tits that joy turned to fear for what might be said to me / predatory looks whenever I played them. The video is primarily about reclaiming it, not being scared anymore duh
— Rebecca Lucy Taylor (@SELFESTEEM___) August 24, 2021
As I rest my eyes i’ll spell it out for you: As you’re watching my tits in the video you’re HEARING 34 years of anger & frustration at the hands of you, men. The same men making shite jokes in my mentions, hassling me in dms. I’ll make my point however I fucking want. Goodnight!
— Rebecca Lucy Taylor (@SELFESTEEM___) August 23, 2021
Also, how cool is this Britney Self Esteem NME Cover?
Live show?
I’ve said this many times before, but as we still wait for gigs in Ireland to return, saying this now hits different, I can’t wait to see her live – Self Esteem are supposed to play The Workman’s Club on November 9th. Tickets are available either way.
About the album:
“13 songs of cleansing myself of the guilt and fear of being a woman who is ‘too much’ and replacing that very notion with a celebration of myself, of you, of being a human and the way that isn’t always easy or perfect, and that’s ok, shave my pussy, that’s just for me’ but I think it’s maybe my finest hour!”
Prioritise Pleasure is the follow-up to Self Esteem’s 2019 debut album Compliments Please and is out October 22th via Fiction Records. You can pre-order it here with a host of extras.
