Today's Pick

British songstress Clare Maguire, otherwise known as Katy Perry's alternative twin sister who was abandoned at birth by Perry's Bible bashing parents for being 'of the devil,' has just dropped the music video for her biggest hit to date, "The Shield And The Sword." I haven't listened to Maguire's album yet so I can't throw out single suggestions, but I'm already preferring this one to her last tune "The Last Dance."
The song "The Shield and The Sword," was co-written by Maguire with her producer and songwriter Fraser T Smith, as the third single off her debut record, "Light After Dark." Maguire was decided to let her fans choose what her next single would be from her new album "Light After Dark," and they overwhelmingly voted for the anthemic track "The Shield And The Sword." The 23-year-old Birmingham born gives off a mix of Stevie Nicks and Cher on this track, which will be available in the UK on May 9 through Polydor Records.
"The Shield and the Sword" is the first real chance for Maguire to deliver and she doesn't fail. This huge string laden track is one of her strongest moments and is surely a future single. Talking of singles, current single "The Last Dance" is another strong number and again shows her strong vocal talents - this should surely propel her into the limelight. Against a clattering of soaring strings, Maguire's voice is pure '80s disco-drenched power ballad, with the guts of Florence Welch and the attitude of Bonnie Tyler. It's a slap of bolshy, air punching freshness with the glittery, feel-goodness of Goulding. And it's as good as "Light After Dark" gets.
"The Shield And The Sword" is the best thing she's put out so far, and the buzz around Maguire seems to have died down a little bit, but I quite like her new single. Like Maguire's voice, it's all very dramatic and theatrical, but without being cheesy. The new video was directed by Hope Audikana, who has directed for "I Blame Coco," sees Maguire adopting a slightly different style that appears to be a cross between early-era Lady Gaga, Adele and Marina & The Diamonds. She is surrounded by scantily clad dancers, wears a vast array of wigs and looks hot as can be.

You may remember that I posted you about Clare Maguire last Wednesday as one of the most exciting new acts to watch in 2011. After the stunning "Ain't Nobody," the Birmingham singer returns with a new video for her follow up single, "The Last Dance," that is the first proper single from Maguire who seems to suddenly be all over the place thanks to her inclusion on just about every 'big in 2011' list going. The bog standard '80s style synth build is nothing to write home about, but the focus of this song is understandably not the instrumentation or the gospel-y backing vocals that are probably unnecessary when all is said and done, but on the voice of Maguire herself.
Written the day after her childhood hero Michael Jackson passed away, "The Last Dance" is the second single and the one of the most personal tunes to be released off Maguire's upcoming debut album, "Light After Dark." The new single will be released on February 20 on Polydor, and her debut album, the heavy-sounding "Light After Dark" follows a week later. The 22-year-old singer describes the album as a big album with epic production. "There's a big, epic production sound to the album, and I'm worried about how I can get that across live. I'm worried and excited about bringing these songs to Ireland. I'm so passionate about this because when you've been waiting 22 years to do something, you really want to get it right."
Not only was writing "The Last Dance" a way for the singer to cope with the untimely death of her childhood hero, it was also a way to vent about the misplaced rumor and innuendo that immediately followed Jackson's passing. "The Last Dance" is probably the most mainstream sounding song we've heard from Maguire thus far, which is definitely a good thing since it should allow her to turn some of this critical buzz into commercial success. It's not a bad tune, and you'll find yourself nodding along wants the drums and bass really pick up towards the middle of the song. Listen to the stunning voice of Maguire as she belts out a self-written number for her long-time idol, Micheal Jackson.
I can't get over how wonderful Maguire's voice is. It evokes a lot of emotions for sure. Listening to this song evokes a very deep, slightly unbearable sense of nostalgia and sadness. Not to sound like some 40-year old going through a mid-life crisis, wanting to recapture my youth or anything. But I think some of you might get what I'm trying to say. It's a very beautiful song. Maguire may be barely in her 20s but she's already got received more accolades in her brief time in the public eye than most acts garner during full careers. The 23-year-old possesses a good ear for pop tunes and deep, throaty wail that landed her on BBC's The Sound of 2011 list. The brummie beauty looks mighty fine in the video to her epic new single, flashing her long legs in a variety of frocks and leotard. Enjoy the refreshing and breathtaking Alex & Liane-directed video below.

For most girls living in Birmingham, England, becoming an international recording artist requires a lifetime of experience, serious industry connections, and an insane amount of luck. But most girls are not Clare Maguire, who could be the next big female vocalist to take on Florence and her ginger Machine. Maguire's big dramatic voice is indeed an impressive instrument, one that belies her tender years, and it's as suited to folk as it is to gospel, as comfortable fronting user-friendly electro-pop as gliding over a trip-hop backdrop. Her music is fierce and intense, yet tender when it needs to be and totally relatable to every listener, she takes us places we have all been. She is an incredible talent and one I have had on my radar all year. Take a listen to Maguire and do not forget who she is, something is about to pop in a big way with her.
On her debut single, "Ain't Nobody," she evokes everyone with an unbreakable, unique croon. Maguire also infuses just the right hint of lyrical mystery, making for the ultimate modern pop trip, and this ethereal love song, "Ain't Nobody," has a massive pop hook, but there's an ethereal quality to it as well. Maguire said about this tune: "It's a very mysterious and passionate song; it's the most ethereal on the album. To be honest, all of the other songs are a lot more straightforward lyrically. This one is definitely a bit otherworldly." She added, regarding the song's meaning: "It's really about passion and a deep yearning for somebody. I didn't want it to be too straightforward. I wanted it to have that open, deserty feeling, which is why I incorporated guitar. It's an epic love song."
The imagery of this video, directed by Sam Brown, is based upon that feeling," Maguire explained: "I want to continue making videos that stick to the true emotion and feel of each of my songs. I hope that I've achieved this with 'Ain't Nobody,' the feeling of desolation, yearning and passion in the deepest sense that it is hard to make out where it comes from, so strong that you lose yourself in it." Maguire said that she had a big say in the planning of the video. "I said what I wanted, and a few different directors brought me back their ideas. Sam did exactly what I was thinking though. We had this discussion about it and then went from there. It was great because he captured precisely what I wanted for that song. I want my music videos to really capture the songs."
Birmingham, England native specializes in torch ballads with soul, blues, and Celtic influence. Singing and writing music from the age of seven, after she posted demos on MySpace every UK and US major label courted her signature, which automatically makes her totally charlie chill. Blending bluesy emotion with pop theatricality, this 23-year-old Irish phenom was eventually signed to Universal Republic Records. All these and more styles are presented on her imminent debut album "Light After Dark." Of all the acts predicted to make a splash in defining the sound of 2011 with her electro-pop, it's hardly surprising that Maguire, has been classed as a sure thing by many pundits.