Chad Valley chills hard at the Lexington

In fact, bear-like Hugo Manuel takes the one-man band to new levels. He’s a blur of Hawaiian shirt and beard as he plugs in his stage set-up before taking to the stage with a grin. Later, he's knee deep in the merchandise stand, happily signing copies of his new album Imaginary Music. Regrettably, doesn’t take cards.

Other than the wall of disco lights behind him, tonight is all about the music, imaginary or not. This new record is his third, and it builds on the promise of 2012’s debut effort Young Hunger, a record that established Manuel as one of the leading purveyors of British chillwave. That album was busier with collaborations than the current top 10, but he’s since stripped back to a purely solo project.

He’s got more microphones than octopus karaoke, but the initial songs drift by without finding their mark, before landing on the perfect riff. With his smoky voice you’re reminded of a one-man Wham! (not to be confused with a solo George Michael). Despite the apparently paltry set-up, he delivers a Wall of Sound that Phil Spector would be proud of in the form of a particularly delicious ‘Tell All Your Friends’.

The new song ‘Intimacy’ is a belter, all Madonna bells and wistful sweeps of 80s playing fields as the protagonist saves their Walkman battery for a goal song. Manuel is so busy looping, playing keys and singing that being there’s like watching him in the studio, albeit without the tea breaks. ‘Up and Down’ touches on the tight abandon of US funksters Chromeo, while the closing song ‘Fast Challenges’ compensates for the earlier lack of focus. It’s like Mr. Fingers never went away.