Self Esteem - ‘If Not Now, It’s Soon’
Self Esteem, the acclaimed project of Rebecca Lucy Taylor, has unveiled her powerful new single, ‘If Not Now, It’s Soon’. The third track to be released from her highly anticipated third album, A Complicated Woman, its announcement comes alongside details of her biggest tour to date.
One of the UK’s most exciting breakout stars of the past decade, Self Esteem skyrocketed from cult favourite to mainstream sensation with her BRIT and Mercury Prize-nominated 2021 album, Prioritise Pleasure. Since then, she has only continued to evolve and expand her creative horizons. After a triumphant album cycle, she ventured into acting, taking on the iconic role of Sally Bowles in the Olivier Award-winning production of Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club in London’s West End. Having made her return to music in the summer of 2024 with a one-off collaboration, ‘Big Man’, alongside Moonchild Sanelly, fans have been eagerly awaiting a new album. With A Complicated Woman only a month away, the anticipation is building, but Self Esteem has kept us satisfied with a steady stream of compelling singles.
Each of the releases from A Complicated Woman so far have brought something new, and ‘If Not Now, It’s Soon’ is no exception. The song blends powerful pop production with sweeping synths and intricate electronic elements, further expanding the album's diverse sonic landscape. A profoundly personal reflection on Rebecca’s pre-fame years, which were defined by excess and self-destruction, the lyrics delve into the complexities of self-worth, with her questioning the way she treated herself during that tumultuous period. For the song she describes to be about exploring the union of perseverance and patience, she enlisted the help of Lancaster legend Julie Hesmondhalgh, who delivers a powerful call to action with the line: "Something will happen because it has to - it’s not just perseverance we need, it’s patience."
Self Esteem's live performances are nothing short of transformative, and this Autumn, she’ll be bringing A Complicated Woman on tour across the UK and Ireland. Kicking off in Birmingham on 15th September, the tour will culminate in a spectacular homecoming show at Sheffield’s Utilita Arena on 18th October. Along the way, she’ll be performing two nights each at Glasgow’s Barrowland Ballroom, Manchester Academy, Bristol Beacon, and London’s O2 Academy Brixton.
Words by Laura Dean
