Heart String Riddim – Various Artists

Heart String Riddim comes in with a light carnival pull and a clean 2012 dancehall finish, the kind of six-song set that keeps its focus tight instead of spreading itself thin. Jafar’s “Carnival Girls” feels like the cut that gives the riddim its first real lift, while Sandy’s “Stick On Pun Me” and Capone’s “Carnival Again” keep the energy in that cheeky, party-ready pocket. Queen T’s “Heart String” adds a softer edge without losing the bounce, which is a nice contrast against the more straight-up dancehall stance of General K and Mark Cristal. It’s a compact run, no dead weight, and that last track, “Woy Gal, ” leaves the whole thing on a sly, playful note.