The Curator's Crates: Volume 5

The Ultimate Battle Weapon - DJ Rectangle
While most of my writing for .WAV Gallery focuses on electronic music, it’s impossible to ignore the importance of hip-hop to the advent of DJing. The Ultimate Battle Weapon by DJ Rectangle is a manifestation of that connection. DJ battles and battle records are the natural extension of the competitive spirit of hip-hop culture. Battle records consist of drum loops, movie dialog, and samples from popular music. These records were used in competitions between turntablists to see who was the best at scratching, wordplay, beat juggling, and other skills. The Ultimate Battle Weapon goes between confident and confrontational samples and enjoyable breakbeats, ideal for intimidating opponents. You don’t have to listen closely to hear recognizable pop culture bits from the late 90s and early 2000s. However, I was caught off guard when I heard “I am buzz lightyear” right before the start of a funky beat.

Vinyl DJs, particularly those who scratch, will derive the most direct enjoyment from this record. However, those who produce music might also find this as a source of inspiration. For the casual music listener, The Ultimate Battle Weapon is more of a novelty or a treat.

One thing that the YouTube video above doesn’t capture is that the vinyl itself is mastered and pressed to be quite loud. This is likely because the short runtime allows for wider grooves in the vinyl, leading to a louder sound more suited for big room speakers.

Bridezilla - (Demo) - Downhill2k01
Listeners who enjoy video-game inspired sounds will enjoy “Bridezilla - (Demo).” This song consists of beautiful 8 bit synths layered over breaks with a granulated filter. There’s an IDM influence that is balanced out using an interesting surprise -Downhill2k01 interpolates “Time to Dance” by Pan!c At The Disco. It’s both a conceptually cool song and an earworm.

Dream State Indulgence - Vale-Smith
Recently, I’ve been interested in an artist with around 1,500 monthly listeners on Spotify. Vale-Smith specializes in electronic music that is bright, bouncy, and colorful with a tangled confluence of rough and polished elements. His 2023 album Um Yo is a dreamy journey of house, dance, and hyperpop. Vale-Smith managed to create a project that is cohesive but not bloated. This is impressive considering it’s made up of 20 tracks and has a runtime longer than an hour. If I have to choose only one song, “Dream State Indulgence” captures the essence of the album very well with a future bass flare.

Spells - Janaway
UK based DJ and producer Janaway fluidly infuses Brazilian bass music into this high-energy jungle song. Like most of his music, it’s impossible not to dance to it. “Spells” comes from “Jungle Funk Vol 1,” the earliest album of 3 in an underrated series.

A PAN!C ROOM RADIO set by OGD is now accessible on Soundcloud. The goal was to showcase a broad range of sounds that I have been stockpiling while pushing myself to explore polyrhythmic mixing more. Take a listen below to go on a journey from 100 bpm to 177 bpm while exploring maximalist electronic sounds within bass, hyperpop, and jungle. Hyperpop was my entry into DJing so I particularly enjoyed the opportunity to return to my musical home base.

Rave Renaissance Vol 5: Hardgroove Revival
Thursday September 18, 8:00 pm - 2:00 am @ Jupiter Disco

Rave Renaissance seeks to create community through reliving eras or moments in music. This time, they’re coming to Jupiter Disco with a focus on hardgroove and a lineup of internationally known DJs.

J.N.R., founder of OnlyFemmes, is kicking off the night by sprinkling bass into a progressive and tech house set. She’s a masterful selector with skill spinning vinyl. Her Vinyl Night set for Rhythm Rails is one of my all-time favorites (watch below).

After that, Rave Renaissance founder Sophia Riv takes the reins. She effortlessly and consistently balances NYC’s grittiness with global influences to create unique atmospheric blends. Dynamic and always fresh, her most recent sounds have incorporated elements from Colombia sub-genres, hardgroove, and hyper/synth pop. Those who attend should be prepared to dance and sweat.

Closing off the night is DJ, producer, and nightlife photographer Castillonaire. His music draws from a diverse range of global genres and is influenced by his upbringing in the cultural melting pot of Queens. Fresh off an Asia tour ending with a Human Records x Seoul Community Radio collab in South Korea, he’s back and ready to bring the heat. Warm up for the dance floor by listening to his latest release, Budots Bounce Volume 1, below.

Off the Record- A No Phones Party
Thursday, September 18, 11:00 pm - late @ Pianos

For those in Manhattan, finding your niche is taking over the backroom at Pianos. You can expect an intimate club space where the focus is on connection, music, and the dance floor. No phones—just presence, energy, and friends moving together. This night is about losing yourself in the moment and letting the music carry you.

The Occupancy Episode 1: Old Flings
Friday, September 26, 10:00 pm - 2:00 am @ Old Flings

Old Flings has been my home base in the local scene over the past two years—a spot of first DJ sets, late nights, and unforgettable energy. For my first visit back after summer, the spotlight is on Y2Aura from PAN!C ROOM and DJ Chineseboy2. With their unique styles and sounds, the crowd can expect high-energy sets laced with a handful of playful early-2000s remixes.

Coming Soon: Brooklyn Loves UK Garage party on October 10, 2025

Connector, a DJ, producer, and promoter known colloquially as the indie prince of Knickerbocker Avenue, recently put out the first single off of his upcoming EP, Scorcher. “THERMAL IMAGE” is an exciting electronic track that is fast paced and incredibly fun. The four to the floor drums and catchy sample are transformed with influences of electro, UK bass, and indie rock. Then, an irresistible live guitar comes in at the perfect time, beckoning listeners to the dance floor.

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