Though Chad Valley’s electronic pop may fit more under the category of “indie” or “chillwave,” the outfit’s mastermind, Hugo Manuel, thinks of himself as a producer—in the hip-hop sense—and though he didn’t have any help on his first two EPs, he decided to try something different for his debut full-length, Young Hunger.

Like his influences, Manuel wanted to create a collaborative album where he would hold the reins instrumentally and invite guest vocalists to sing on his tracks. Though the bedroom-producer lends his dreamy pipes to many of the record’s songs, he is accompanied by the likes of Twin Shadow, Glasser, El Perro Del Mar, Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs, Active Child and others on seven of the LP’s eleven tracks.

Listing album influences including New Edition, Janet Jackson, Babyface and Tears For Fears, it is clear that the UK-based multi-instrumentalist strived for a sound reminiscent of the ‘80s, and he succeeded. Manuel found out what synths and drum machines these artists used and emulated these sounds that he felt were due for a revival. The result is a collection of soft yet dance-inducing, infectious, R&B-tinged tunes that pays homage to its inspirations without knocking them off.

Young Hunger begins with its second single, “I Owe You This.” The track begins full-throttle, with Manuel explosively crooning amidst tinny drum machine beats and quiet, droning synths.  This melody threads throughout the song with dispersed, twinkling keyboard-led instrumental breaks. Twin Shadow lends his seductive pipes on the second verse, creating a chilling duet by the two singers.

From there, the record bounces from the synthesized, love-declaring, “Tell All Your Friends,” to the sexy ballad and first single, “Fall 4 U,” which features Glasser’s sultry voice. In the album’s 45 minutes of playtime, Manuel manages to invoke feelings of love, longing, lust and everything in between. His style of music is one that has been relatively untapped, and he might be on to something.  As innovative as the young musician is, if he can continue carving his own path and recognizing what’s lacking in the current music scene, Chad Valley and Hugo Manuel are two names you’ll be hearing a lot more of in months and years to come.

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