The Shield and the Sword is the third single by English singer-songwriter Clare Maguire, taken from her debut album Light After Dark.

Lewis Corner of Digital Spy gave the song 4 out of 5 stars, commenting that "never let it be said that Clare Maguire is workshy.

Having juggled the release of her top ten album, a headline UK tour and a support slot for The Script, it's no wonder her impressive remixes are causing her the occasional out-of-body experience.

In fact, looking at the accompanying promo for her latest chart assault, she appears to have turned her psychological issues into an art form.

"You have the shield/ I'll take the sword/ I no longer love you," Maguire booms in her distinctive Lennox-meets-Moyet tone over soaring strings, a funky piano riff and a thumping beat that sounds like a soul/disco mash-up released from the M People vaults.