Following on from his eponymous debut EP
and follow up Equatorial Ultravox, Hugo Manuel, a.k.a Chad Valley, has emerged
into the bleaker months of 2012 with an even bleaker album. Young Hunger being
his first full length effort, and reflecting on the success of his previous
work, fresh and fierce sounds may have been anticipated but Manuel has
presented a cushiony assortment of synth pop ballads.
The Jonquil founder has come a long way
since his humble Oxford bedroom beginnings. On pursuing his own solo career and
receiving acclaim for his early records, Manuel was heading for brighter
horizons but despite this, Young Hunger feels weak,
Opening track I Owe You This is laced
with traces of Rick Astley as Manuel's vocals deepen, accompanied by bubbly electronic
drum beats. With contribution from experimental group, Fixers' Jack Goldstein,
My Girl provides an auto-tuned love song which evokes early teenage memories.
Complete with the cringe worthy lyric,
"If you wanna be my girl, you gotta get with my friends", an innocent
homage to the 90s sensation, the Spice Girls is somewhat perplexing.
One saving grace is Fathering/Mothering,
with the addition of Anne Lise Frøkedal's chilling vocals. The track boasts more
imaginative digital effects than previous lacklustre numbers, adding a modern
and sophisticated edge to the album.
Collaborations with acts like Glasser
and Active Child undoubtedly add variety and colour to the line-up but Young
Hunger just misses the mark.
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