2011, Cascine

Equatorial Ultravox is Chad Valley's second excursion into pop escapism. Chad Valley is the solo project of Hugo Manuel, lead singer of Jonquil and a founding member of Oxford's Blessing Force community. His eponymous debut, released last winter on Cascine, scored exceptional reviews and widespread radio support across the US and Europe. In addition to a series of packed solo shows, Chad Valley has toured with the likes of The Concretes, Amiina, and Twin Shadow. The seven tracks on Equatorial Ultravox are affectionate tributes to youth's fragile dreams and the nearing snapshots of tomorrow. Plush atmospherics obscure any decipherable lyric, but the message is clear - this is affirmative, ethereal and exquisite pop music.