Circus Mind’s experimental music style is always a treat for funk-rock fans, but their latest single, “The Battle of Brooklyn” turns their experimental style up a notch. This song follows a fascinating concept of blending history with contemporary social commentary, with a groove that you cannot help vibing to.
The single starts off with a reflection on the titular 1776 battle from the American revolutionary war, setting the imagery with the hopelessness that the continental army felt against the British forces.
The unorthodox approach taken in the first half of The Battle of Brooklyn is just classic Circus Mind, with gunshots, neighing horses, and frontman Mark Rechler’s cries of “Fall back!” and “Everybody charge!”
Saxophone, synth, and guitar blend in an intriguing interlude, setting up the next movement of the song. Even though they don’t believe in musical norms, Circus Mind understands the audience, and their experience shines through in the pacing of this track.
Rechler’s raspy vocals pull you back into the narrative and shift the scenery to draw a poignant parallel between the 1776 Revolutionary War battle and the modern-day struggles of gentrification in Brooklyn.
With vivid imagery such as “all his neighbors moving away” and “the bodega’s turned into a hipster coffee place,” Circus mind hits hard at Brooklyn’s changing landscape, and how the city’s native culture is being replaced by the uniformity of the middle class that’s moving in.
Steven Finklestein’s percussion and Dylan Niederauer’s relentless bassline do a lot of heavy lifting, keeping the tension throughout this track and adding depth to the colorful yet gritty funk-rock sound.
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Musically, The Battle of Brooklyn showcases Circus Mind’s adeptness at blending infectious grooves with thought-provoking themes. The jazzy notes underscore the connection between past and present, serving as both a tribute to Brooklyn’s resilience and a wake-up call about its evolving identity.
In The Battle of Brooklyn, Circus Mind delivers a powerful statement on identity, place, and resilience, reminding listeners of the enduring echoes of history in the ever-changing landscape of New York City.