Article

ALBUM OF THE MONTH: SELF ESTEEM -A Complicated Woman

March 31, 2025

After making waves with her second album, Prioritise Pleasure - named Album of the Year by both The Guardian and The Sunday Times - Self Esteem returns with A Complicated Woman. Out April 25, 2025, via Polydor Records on specialist retail exclusive red vinyl, the album is another bold, personal, and cathartic collection that leans into Rebecca Lucy Taylor’s knack for blending vulnerability with stadium-sized confidence.



Where Prioritise Pleasure was about figuring things out, A Complicated Woman is about owning it. Taylor embraces the power of collective experience, with a choir of friends, collaborators, and bandmates joining her throughout the record. From euphoric highs to reflective lows, it’s an album that leans into life’s contradictions and complexities.


Track Highlights: A Sneak Peek


Focus Is Power – A full-throttle empowerment anthem about taking control of your future, inspired by Taylor’s own journey through major life changes like freezing her eggs and navigating homeownership: "There are big things I’m doing to set myself up for an okay existence."


Mother – A wry house track, which could have been mixed by Armand van Helden, is a reflection on acting as a mother to those in relationships.


69 – Featuring drag queen Meatball, this punchy, politically charged track explores women’s pleasure and autonomy: "I always wanted to write a song that lists sex positions and rates them... A lot of my music is saying the things I struggle to say in real life. I like the idea of clearly communicating your needs in one quick, three-minute house song."


The Deep Blue Okay – The album’s closer, a Springsteen-esque anthem about letting go and making peace with life’s contradictions: "I’ve spent my whole life lying about the things I want, about the things I should have done."


Self Esteem has never shied away from difficult conversations, and A Complicated Woman further cements her as one of pop’s most important voices. Whether you’re drawn to its soaring choruses, razor-sharp lyricism, or unfiltered honesty, don’t just listen - live with it, think about it, and let it inspire you to embrace the beautiful mess that is life!


Don’t miss out - grab a copy when it drops and support your local indie record shop with the specialist retail exclusive red vinyl.


share this article

other news

Related Articles

Standing Firm in Power and Pride

October 21, 2025
Record Store Day are proud to celebrate UK Black History Month.

RECORD STORE DAY BLACK FRIDAY: EXCLUSIVE RELEASES ANNOUNCED

October 2, 2025
This year, Record Store Day’s sister event, Black Friday, returns on Friday 28 th November with a stacked lineup of special releases, exclusively for independent record shops. Highlights include limited edition vinyl from Sam Fender & Olivia Dean, Fred again.., Icona Pop & Charli XCX, Bruno Mars, Maribou State, Billie Eilish, Young Fathers and over 100 artists across a variety of genres, ensuring something for every music fan. Releases will be available exclusively at UK independent record stores from 8am on 28 th November. Find participating stores here, with a full list of titles found here . Record Store Day Black Friday continues to offer a unique alternative to the usual Black Friday frenzy, focusing on collectible editions and memorable releases that music lovers of all ages will treasure for years to come. Lägom Studio And it’s this unique and premium alternative to Black Friday that perfectly sets the stage for the introduction of Record Store Day UK’s official new partner, Lägom Studio. Lägom Studio sets out to create bespoke furniture that truly celebrates the joy of record collecting. From their Lincolnshire workshop, Lägom Studio's team of 10 like-minded creatives—including artists, designers, DJs, and collectors—designs and builds beautiful solid wood storage and display pieces. Specializing in bespoke solutions for vinyl, mixed media, and hi-fi components, they offer a high degree of customization in size, finish, and layout. Chris Mitchell, Director, said of the partnership: “We are passionate about vinyl, music and design, and set out to bring solid, lasting furniture back into a disposable world. Our pieces are made to be cherished for a lifetime, just like the records they hold. We are excited to partner with Record Store Day as it aligns perfectly with our own ethics and our ongoing support for independent shops and high street record stores at the heart of the music community.” More information on the partnership will be revealed in the coming months, but in the meantime, you check out the full list of exclusive releases coming soon to your local independent record shop. For details on each title, visit the RSD website here . 

ALBUM OF THE MONTH: THE LAST DINNER PARTY - FROM THE PYRE

October 1, 2025
From The Pyre is the second album from Brit Award winners, record shop favourites, and rising indie sensations, The Last Dinner Party. Coming off their Mercury Award–nominated Prelude to Ecstasy, the London-based five-piece are back, delivering theatrical indie rock that cements their place as one of the UK’s most exciting new bands. “It is our absolute delight to present our new album From The Pyre to the world,” the band say. “This record feels a little darker, more raw and more earthy; it takes place looking out at a sublime landscape rather than seated at an opulent table.” Although only a year has passed since their debut, the band have been cultivating these songs since their earliest rehearsals in 2020. Lead single Nothing Matters has been a staple of every setlist since their very first gig at the George Tavern. Reflecting on these early songs, the band say: “We have held, nurtured and fed these first songs for a long time, and in return they have flown us to heights and guided us on journeys once totally incomprehensible.” From The Pyre is a concept album, with character-driven stories bound by the allegorical world of ‘The Pyre’. Each track is imagined as part of a travelling medieval mystery play, with the band cast as its players. “This frame narrative felt like a way of visually representing our lives as a band, once again mythologising the everyday,” they explain. This month, indie record shops are stocking From The Pyre on exclusive Inferno 140g vinyl. With neon colours that echo the album cover, a 12x12” lyric sheet, and a collectible sticker, it’s a must for fans. So head to your local indie record shop and grab From The Pyre when it drops on 17th October - the Last Dinner Party’s second chapter of theatrical indie rock, perfect for vinyl lovers and anyone ready to dive into their mythic world!
ALL ARTICLES