Chad Valley - EP
- Written by Rosie Duffield
Chad Valley is the pseudonym for Hugo Manuel – a somewhat strange choice considering it’s also the name of a toy manufacturer. Fear not though, for this Chad Valley does not produce hard, plastic noisy things you’re forever tripping over and tidying up. This Chad Valley has more of an energetic, colourful – yet strangely tranquil – feel about him.
Instead of being from Oxford, Manuel could be mistaken for a resident of Miami with this soundtrack. EP contains four tracks, all of which would fit nicely into some hazy beach-side scenario. The first track, aptly named ‘Portugese Solid Summer’, opens with looped beats and floaty vocals; ‘Anything’ is slightly more upbeat, and what I would imagine would be the decent soundtrack to a sunset over Ibiza.
The highlight of the EP, ‘Up and Down’ features Manuel’s vocals more heavily, and is the catchiest tune of the bunch. The contrast between the falsetto and the drums is really quite nice, and lingers with you as the track ends to the sound of the sea. ‘Ensoniq Funk’ is a disappointing end to a good EP. With lots of synths, a repetitive drum beat and echoey vocals, it sounds like a messy dance track from the ‘80s. With so much going on, it becomes quite distracting.
Still, overall, EP is a good listen, particularly as the nights draw in and you try to cling on to the distant memory of your summer holiday. Luckily, Chad Valley is here to provide you with 15 minutes of disco-filled sunshine.