Albums to watch

Be Strong

The 2 Bears

Be Strong

Upbeat classic house on the debut album from Hot Chip's Joe Goddard and London DJ Raf Rundell

ADM rating[?]

7.3

Label
Southern Fried
UK Release date
30/01/2012
US Release date
07/02/2012
  1. 9.0 |   BBC

    Superb: a joyous amalgam of disco textures and dancefloor stylings which never fail to bring a big grin to your face
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  2. 8.0 |   Clash

    Sounding like club music for grown-ups wanting a decadent summer of love return without wanting their troublesome kids tagging along
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  3. 8.0 |   musicOMH

    At its core, Be Strong is a call to arms for listeners to get lost in music, irrespective of age, genre preference or life priorities, which really is a rather irresistible premise
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  4. 8.0 |   The Guardian

    There's something appealingly clear-eyed about Be Strong's vision of small-hours hedonism
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  5. 8.0 |   Q

    A downright joyous debut. Print edition only

  6. 8.0 |   Uncut

    Warm and easy comfort food for recessionary midlife ravers. Print edition only

  7. 8.0 |   Drowned In Sound

    Just enjoy their album for what it is, an absolute blast
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  8. 8.0 |   Evening Standard

    Few would have expected the best dance album of the year so far to come from a side-project by one of too-clever-by-half electropop nerds Hot Chip
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  9. 8.0 |   No Ripcord

    An album full of tracks that sound so warmly familiar that they instantly seem like old friends
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  10. 8.0 |   The Observer

    Unashamedly uplifting songs about working hard and loving music
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  11. 8.0 |   State

    A confident debut from two hirsute pals and avid record collectors who are having a pretty fine time celebrating the music that makes them happy
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  12. 8.0 |   The Irish Times

    Their retro-fit house sounds shimmy, shake and shine with joy, a timely reminder of what house and disco grooves from back in the day are capable of
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  13. 7.8 |   Beats Per Minute

    A rather exhaustive album when consumed in one sitting, but if you’ve got the fortitude to reach the closing track “The Church” during that listen, it can be a very euphoric climax
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  14. 7.5 |   The AU Review

    They want the listener to follow them on this nostalgia trip…and it’s one you’ll want to
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  15. 7.3 |   Pitchfork

    A relatively low-stakes project, sure, but for a small album, it's got a big heart
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  16. 7.0 |   The Digital Fix

    If you couldn't give a toss about the Olympics, it's a definite possibility that you'll be twisting your melon to this bare badness at a summer festival very soon
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  17. 7.0 |   DIY

    As a collection of exuberant, joyful and uplifting dance music it is certainly the perfect record to light up those dark winter nights and look forward to the summer
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  18. 7.0 |   NME

    One of the smartest and funniest dance records you've heard in a long while
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  19. 7.0 |   Rave Magazine

    It’s a truly eclectic listen, taking on everything from techno and house, right on through to reggae and dancehall, and even a little bit of ska and new wave
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  20. 6.0 |   Consequence Of Sound

    The album neatly avoids any accusations of mere pastiche
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  21. 6.0 |   AU Review

    There’s potential here; maybe a vocal-less version would do the trick
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  22. 6.0 |   Bowlegs

    A brazen blend of house, garage and electro with sprinklings of smart samples thrown in to make it feel much like a modernised celebration of 90s dance music
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  23. 6.0 |   Mojo

    A cheeky, unerringly upbeat celebration of the capital's party scene. Print edition only

  24. 6.0 |   Independent on Sunday

    One thinks of the Avalanches, Zoot Woman, Junior Senior, even early Hot Chip themselves
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  25. 6.0 |   The Fly

    Goddard in particular stakes his claim as one of the most consistent-yet-underrated producers around, a true king of the dance floor
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Be Strong by The 2 Bears

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The 2 Bears: Be Strong

  • Download full album for just £4.49
  • 1. The Birds & the Bees £0.99
  • 2. Be Strong £0.99
  • 3. Bear Hug £0.99
  • 4. Work £0.99
  • 5. Warm & Easy £0.99
  • 6. Take a Look Around £0.99
  • 7. Ghosts & Zombies £0.99
  • 8. Time in Mind £0.99
  • 9. Increase Your Faith £0.99
  • 10. Heart of the Congos £0.99
  • 11. Get Together £0.99
  • 12. Church £0.99
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