Half-hearted composer with male charm (8)
I believe the answer is:
talisman
'charm' is the definition.
(I know that talisman is a type of charm)
'half-hearted composer with male' is the wordplay.
'half hearted composer' becomes 'talis' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'with' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'male' becomes 'man' (man is a kind of male).
'talis'+'man'='TALISMAN'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for talisman that I've seen before include "Good luck token" , "Lucky thing" , "bringer of luck?" , "Object thought to guard against evil" , "Magical good luck charm" .)