We appreciate it when history and music come together into one interesting, quirky piece. That’s exactly the case for ‘The Battle of Brooklyn’. Penned by New York City-based funk outfit Circus Mind, the track is incredibly groovy and charismatic, with a slow-moving, yet dancy vibe taking the listeners through one of the most pivotal moments of the American Revolution, in 1776. For anyone who might not be familiar with American history, the Battle of Brooklyn was fought on August 27, 1776, between British forces and the American Continental Army (under General George Washington).
On that occasion, the British won and Washington retreated into Manhattan. Circus Mind’s head honcho, Mark Rechler, was particularly drawn to such an important historical event thanks to an NPR podcast, and also thanks to living in Brooklyn himself. As he explains: “It struck me that the very ground I was walking on held so much history, he said. “I started digging into it, and suddenly the lyrics just poured out. The song started to write itself—and that’s always the best kind of creative rush.”
Sonically, ‘The Battle of Brooklyn’ is a good record, not overly complicated and not too gloomy. It’s instead built as a bright, catchy funk anthem with a historical twist. Circus Mind showcase their immense musicianship, with instrumental hits and wonderful horns creating countless hooks and a carefree, bold vibe. They manage to do the unthinkable: make historical events relevant to the modern day.
Recommended! Discover ‘The Battle of Brooklyn’ on Spotify:
