October Reggae/Dancehall Fresh Picks of the Month: Chronixx, Pablo YG, Lady Lava, Mortimer & More

“Doh try to fix me, I not a house/ You want to trap me? I not a mouse/ Making noise, want to eat me; I’m not a souse/ You even want to beat me? What that about!”

Really, Dominican superstar Trilla-G said it all in the first four lines of his “Take Me As I Am” remix with Grenadian singer V’ghn. The bustling bouyon track is an immediate standout from Trilla’s new album of the same name, which arrived on Oct. 22, and the remix finds V’ghn offering a smooth, melodic counterpart to the frenetic energy of Trilla’s verses. With production as groovy as this, courtesy of producers Fr3EzE and Dernz, “Take Me as I Am” is the perfect song to kiss off 2025.

“In the eye of the hurricane/ I heard you whispered and called my name/ I am a witness of your quickness to rescue me, well,” croons Chronixx at the close of “Hurricane,” a standout track from Exile, his enrapturing sophomore studio album — and first in eight years. Chronixx likely couldn’t have predicted a storm as destructive as Melissa would strike Jamrock mere weeks after Exile arrived on Oct. 10. Still, the raw production and simple storytelling of “Hurricane” were borne out of a mind that has processed myriad forms of destruction throughout its lifetime. And that’s why “Hurricane,” and the rest of Exile, work so magnificently — Chronixx mines the past for parallels and connections, not merely inspiration.

After ruling the year with hits like “Ring Finger” and “Bob the Builder,” Lady Lava is back with a new track destined to dominate the forthcoming Carnival season. Although it’s titled “No Horn,” Lava’s new wine-inducing banger sources its energy from the punchy brass and rapid-fire drums of its jab riddim. “I know how to mek di gyals a dem wine,” she proclaims at the beginning of Boogy Rankss’ infectious production, which is all but guaranteed to be a problem at Road March competitions next year.

For the third single from Key to the Century, his forthcoming debut album, Pablo YG took a microscope to Jamaican society. Produced by Yo Jani and Tevin Richards, “Fight and Lose” earnestly addresses corruption, violence, and the unfair blame lobbed at the youth for simply making do with the unsavory cards they were dealt. “Di youth dem so bad, get worse by the hour/ But people been a bad since Noah,” he reflects over a delicate trap-dancehall beat that begs for quieter moments of introspection.

Hopping on Protoje’s “Feel It” riddim, Romain Virgo has dropped his latest in a string of standalone singles this year: “Finally.” Virgo’s signature smooth tone is the perfect complement for Winta James’ delicate riddim, and the breezy lovers rock-steeped production is the prime soundscape for reggae’s resident loverman to show out. “41 days, 42 nights/ 43 denies, 44 tries/ I must say it felt a kinda way/ But it was only you in my eyes,” he lovingly coos.

After joining forces on “Battle Cry” earlier this year, rising Jamaican reggae artist KA$E and Bob Marley: One Love star Hector Roots Lewis have reunited for their new “Hunting Season” single. “When I look inna the mirror/ All I see is a winner/ Through the cold cold time wi nuh shiver/ Jah send the message, we a deliver, the tribe a deliver,” Lewis sings over the heavy-hitting drums in the song’s second half, channeling the faith-based perseverance that courses through the genre’s most inspirational offerings.

Cjthechemist’s “NY Girls” riddim is showing no signs of slowing down, with a slew of new remixes still in the tuck. For his latest reimagining of the hit riddim, Cj recruits Bayka, who decides to deliver an ode to the one “Baddie” he can’t get out of his head. “I mek yuh pull up at mi place fast/ I mek wi distrub di neighbors,” he promises in his trademark tone that sits somewhere between haunting and seductive. The slinky “NY Girls” riddim is infectious, but every new remix must meet a higher bar than the last to avoid oversaturation — and Bayka absolutely rose to the occasion.

For his take on Protoje’s “Feel It” riddim, Mortimer balances the instrumentation’s simultaneous fire and tenderness. “Baby, I’m here, even through your fire,” he croons, throwing in melismatic runs and ascending riffs throughout his lovestruck verses. For as deceptively simple as his vocal arrangements are on “Flowers & Flames,” Mortimer executes them with almost startling ease, making his voice the most interesting instrument in the entire mix.

When Umpa steps onto a hot riddim, you must stop everything and listen. “Plishay,” the Lucian artist’s offering on the “Bwa” riddim, finds him channeling the hollowness of the DJ Lucianboy-helmed riddim’s hypnotic drums into a percussive chant that focuses more on keeping time for the dancefloor and then flaunting slick wordplay. As one of Dennery segment’s leading voices, Umpa is always good for churning out a fire new chune every few months.

After reemerging with a new name at the top of the year, 1Ski OG has kept the party going. His newest single, the Dxntemadeit-produced “Ratatata,” finds him blending distinct dancehall cadences with a trap-infused beat that’s not too far removed from the glitchy sounds dominating the Stateside underground rap scene, making for a notably unique listening experience.