Various Artists – The Hits Vol.1

2016 was the year dancehall was leaning hard into sharper hooks and post-trap attitude, and The Hits Vol. 1 catches that moment with a tidy 12-track lineup that moves from Alkaline’s reflective “Things Take Time” to Popcaan’s “Unruly Rave” and Vybz Kartel’s “I Promise You. ” There’s a nice spread of voices here too: Bounty Killer links up with Patexx on “Mi Alright, ” Qq teams with Blak Ryno on the celebratory “Feel the Vibes (Hands Up), ” and Voicemail’s “Do You Remember” keeps the energy bright near the end. The compilation runs just over 35 minutes, so it feels more like a quick-fire snapshot of the era than a sprawling showcase, with Mr. Vegas also popping up twice on “Fall in Love Again” and “Mama Give Me a Call” before it closes out.