by Amity Hereweard
With “Defenceless,” UK artist Cormac (Cormac Thompson) steps into original pop songwriting with a sense of emotional clarity that sounds timely and unforced. Rather than announcing a bold reinvention, the single documents a quieter, and arguably more meaningful, shift: an artist settling into a voice that reflects where he is now, not where he thinks he should be.
At its core, “Defenceless” is a coming-of-age song that resists easy resolution. It captures the uneasy in-between of adolescence and dealing the pressure to appear confident and self-possessed while privately feeling exposed, unsure, and emotionally raw. Thompson doesn’t dress these feelings up as triumph or transformation. Instead, he allows them to exist as they hit in the real world; unresolved, repetitive, and honest.
That restraint is reflected in the songwriting. Lines like “Can I be all right? Just a second, just a moment, just a day” reduce survival to its smallest increments, mirroring the way anxiety collapses time. The recurring image of being “caught in the storm” becomes the song’s emotional container. The lyrics emerge not as a dramatic flourish, but as a honest metaphor for mental weather that refuses to pass on command. Even the song’s quiet refrain, “waiting to rise,” suggests patience rather than promise, endurance rather than arrival.
Musically, “Defenceless” unfolds with similar care. Building on a light acoustic guitar foundation and a subtle synth pad, the arrangement leaves plenty of space early on, allowing Cormac’s voice to sit front and center. His vocal delivery is clear and controlled, anchored by solid technique and a warm mid-range growl that adds texture without overselling the emotion. As the track develops, background vocals, drums, electric guitars, and bass gradually enter, giving the song momentum without disrupting its introspective core. The build feels organic, matching the lyrics with a slow accumulation rather than a forced climax.
What ultimately makes “Defenceless” resonate is its balance. The melody is catchy, the songwriting direct, but the emotional tone remains grounded. Cormac isn’t chasing catharsis; he’s documenting a moment. In doing so, he positions this single not just as a strong standalone release, but as a marker of creative direction that values honesty over spectacle.
For an artist stepping into original pop material, that’s a promising sign. “Defenceless” doesn’t shout for attention, but it lingers with that quiet confidence that Cormac’s vocals project. Cormac is, indeed, one to watch.
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