Gabriella Cilmi: 'Defender' / 'Magic Carpet Ride'

Where do you turn when your last single peaked at - prepare to wince, pop fans - #134? That was the question facing Team Cilmi recently. Well, following the disappointing performance of the discotastic 'Hearts Don't Lie', the 18-year-old Aussie is reaching for the closest thing to a Big Ballad Moment on her current album Ten. Maybe supporting Leona on tour recently rubbed off on her?

The chilled, hypnotic intro sucks you in before Cilmi's ever-distinctive vocals are complimented by some effective military drum-led production courtesy of The Invisible Men. It's a welcome change of pace for the singer, but sadly the track fails to stand up to repeated listens - unlike, it has to be said, some of the more danceable fare on the album. Accompanying 'Defender' on this release is 'Magic Carpet Ride', a track that's already been a B-side on which Cilmi edges back to the Winehousey sound of her debut LP in pleasant but bland fashion. Straws? Clutching? Anyone?


> Click here to watch the 'Defender' video