Amy Winehouse: 'Love Is A Losing Game'

The decision to release 'Love Is A Losing Game' at this stage in proceedings almost seems like a cruel and twisted joke. As Amy Winehouse sits at home recovering from whatever the hell she's been up to over the last few months, desperately missing the hubbie who's currently serving time in Pentonville nick, radio is just beginning to spin the saddest song from her Back To Black album. "Though I battled blind," she croons, tearfully. "Love is a fate resigned."

Nevertheless, 'Love Is A Losing Game' can't help affirming what we already know about Winehouse, that her self-destructive tendencies come hand-in-hand with a magnificent songwriting talent and the best British soul voice of her generation. A rich, teary-eyed ballad that evokes images of fag smoke, empty vodka bottles and smudged mascara, it's perhaps the most heartbreaking thing she's ever recorded. Amy Winehouse, our hearts go out to you.