Unusual request to look for songwriter (7)
I believe the answer is:
novello
'unusual request' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.
'look for songwriter' is the wordplay.
'look' becomes 'lo'.
'for' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other) (I've seen this in other clues).
'songwriter' becomes 'novel' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'lo' after 'novel' is 'NOVELLO'.
'to' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for novello that I've seen before include "Ivor --, Welsh singer, actor, composer" , "popular composer" , "Welsh composer, Ivor (1893-1951)" , "Ivor --, composer/actor" , "he used to make up the numbers" .)