Cormac has released “Defenceless,” a new single that represents a deliberate move toward original pop songwriting. The UK-based artist signed with Decca at age 11 in 2020 and spent years building an audience through covers and classical crossover material. Now he’s writing songs that match who he is today rather than what worked for him earlier. Co-written with Henry Maybury and producer Jon Cohen, “Defenceless” centers on the uncertainty of being a teenage boy navigating emotional openness. The production stays minimal, keeping attention on the vocal and the lyric without excessive drama. The song earned recognition as a runner-up in the Unsigned Only Songwriting Competition and reached the finals of the UK Songwriting Contest, while recent releases have gained momentum across streaming platforms, radio playlists, and coverage from Wonderland, Earmilk, and NOTION.
The shift hasn’t been without its obstacles. Algorithms still categorize Cormac based on earlier work, which means retraining systems and audiences alike. He’s building this new chapter independently from Lancashire, focused on earning his way back to venues like the London Palladium and the Royal Albert Hall with original material. This track captures something genuine: a snapshot of second-guessing yourself, trying to stay resilient, and working things out in real time.