Clare Maguire – Light After Dark
Britain seems to spew forth female singer-songwriters at a rate of knots lately. Don’t let this one pass you by though, because Maguire’s debut may be one of the strongest albums of the year. Sky-high choruses abound, from the anthemic kiss-off anthem Shield and the Sword (with the addictive cry ‘I no longer love you, no longer love you!’ — pity her ex), to the stunning first single The Last Dance, a touching tribute to Maguire’s childhood hero, Michael Jackson. Her deep, full voice is the constant throughout, lending the already top tunes here an extra weight.