The 2 Bears
Be Strong

Side-projects, brief collaborations that focus on spreading through social networks, material released little by little (perhaps as free downloads): this seems to be the most recent trend affecting the alternative world, and this is the path chosen by The 2 Bears, an electronic project born from a double collaboration; the first bear is Joe Goddard (member of Hot Chip), while the other is named Raf Rundell.

Even if their names don't mean much to you, the Bears have quickly managed to gather around them a substantial group of internet users who, after tasting a long series of EPs, have finally been rewarded by the release of a full-fledged album: "Be Strong" is destined to become one of the most interesting releases of the new year.

Their decisive weapon is their light and fun dance music that is easy to listen to without too much pretense, classic sounds that certainly won't tear down the walls of your room turned into a disco for the occasion, but that get into your brain animating your once inert tissues on the couch, now taken by a mix of cheerfulness and dynamism.

A deep and robotic vocal accompanies more or less the entire duration of the album, reciting verses that praise freedom of thought in music (Be Strong), or dedicated to celebrating hard work (Work); the two bears are English, from London, but even though we are fortunately far from the slightest Dubstep influence, the tracks on the album often have that slightly hipster, light, fun, occasional sound... but definitely not lacking in class: you can clearly hear echoes directly from the '90s, a Big Beat adapted to a more playful climate than anything else.

It is definitely worth a listen, I certainly wouldn't call it a masterpiece, but to the question "Is it a well-produced album, the kind that flows smoothly and you feel guilty interrupting?" I answer "Of course, yes, the 2 Bears have really hit the mark!".