Self Esteem - “The Best”

SXSW 2022 - OEB Score: 9; Popularity Index: 5 

Pairs Well With… Baz Luhrmann, Lady Gaga, Halsey

Self Esteem (aka Rebecca Taylor) follows up her 2019 solo debut with an even more confident, buoyant, and yes, funnier, dance pop album, Prioritise Pleasure, that serves as a vehicle to tackle decidedly serious subjects such as institutional sexism, street harassment, and society’s aversion to discussing women’s pleasure. As Taylor put it, “I want to use the palatable nature of pop to Trojan horse in my agenda.” The highlight of the new record is “I Do these Things All the Time”, which features a deadpan “Everyone's Free to Wear Sunscreen” monologue of advice to, and takedown of, a former lover, including some killer lines such as, “Don’t send those long paragraph texts. Stop it. Don’t,” and “It was really rather miserable trying to love you.” The smooth chorus, however -- “Look up, lean back, be strong…” -- is catchy and uplifting which is truly Self Esteem’s gift. Taylor wants the listener, especially other women, to see that that her struggles and self-work have paid off. The self-depreciating humor serves to lighten the mood. For example, after a bright funk-synth opening on “Moody”, she mock despairs the counterproductively of “sexting you at the mental health talk. Talk of mistakes.”

Taylor also continues to use experiential production to make her songs more interesting, inviting close attention, as much as toe-tapping and hip swaying.  In this regard, check out the title track “Prioritise Pleasure” (sharp sonic deviations followed by tribal beats) and “You Follow” (brief autotune then dance beats, hand claps, and what sounds like a kazoo). We look forward to cheering on Self Esteem for her music and for her bravery in Austin. (David Zlotnick)