Plays, but doesn't bother about the score (5)

I believe the answer is:

vamps

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'plays' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both related to communication as well as being plural nouns.
Perhaps you can see an association between them that I don't see?

I can't explain the rest of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for vamps that I've seen before include "Extemporises musically" , "Improvises crudely (mus.)" , "Improvised accompaniments" , "Seductive women" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish News and The Globe and Mail.

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