It’s tiiiime again, it seems, to reevaluate my Mariah Carey album ranking. Following the release of her 16th set, many publications have done listicles ranking thee D-I-V-A’s incomparable discography. I’ll be doing it a little differently, though. While of course, some of her albums are better than others from an objective standpoint, and some I like more than others subjectively, none of her albums are bad or subpar. Mariah Carey is a legend for a reason; she’s a musical genius and as one of the most successful songwriters in music history… when she makes an album, it’s serious business.
So, with that in mind, I ventured to find at least one Lamb on Twitter to claim each of her 16 albums as their favorite. And I succeeded. I spoke with each of them to find out why they loved their favorite Mariah album.
To come up with my own ranking, I used a somewhat complicated method. I went through the track listing of each album, and rated each song from 0 to 4, based on my personal opinion of the song. A “4” signifies a standout song that ranks among her best (“Giving Me Life”), a “3” is a song I adore (“Alone In Love”), a “2” is a song I enjoy, but don’t love (“To the Floor”), a “1” is a song I rarely listen to (“I Stay In Love”) , and a “0” is a song I’m not here for (“When I Saw You”). Then, I averaged together all the song scores for each album to get an overall score for the entire album. If there was a tie, I made a subjective call based on my feelings about each album/era, overall.
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Day by day, I’ll be revealing my Mariah Carey album ranking, one-by-one, with a writeup that includes my thoughts alongside quotes from each Lamb who claims it as their favorite.
Mariah Carey: The Albums, Ranked & Adored.
16. Music Box (1993)
Why I Love It: It pains me to do it, but it has to be done. One album has to be #16, and for me, that album is “Music Box.” Simply put, it’s just my least favorite of them all. Despite it having flawless vocals, and some of her biggest hits in “Hero,” “Dreamlover” and “Without You,” it’s probably the album I am least connected with. That being said, like all of Mariah Carey’s albums it has some fantastic songs: “Anytime You Need a Friend,” “Music Box” and “Everything Fades Away” (the international bonus track) are among my favorites. It’s a shame it was released at probably her most, uhh, “supervised” time creatively, because the “rarities” and vault tracks Carey released on 2020’s “The Rarities” (“Do You Think of Me” and “All I Live For”) and 2023’s 30th anniversary edition version of the album (“Workin’ Hard” and “My Prayer”) in place of some of the album’s more uninteresting moments (“Just to Hold You Once Again,” “All I Ever Wanted”) would have made it a better album.
My Top Tier Songs: “Anytime You Need a Friend,” “Everything Fades Away,” “Dreamlover”
My Bottom Tier Songs: “Just to Hold You Once Again,” “All I Ever Wanted”
From the Lambs: “At a time in my young life where there was a lot of confusion, a song came on the radio that made me stop and listen. I was familiar with Mariah before ‘Hero’ was released, but that song took hold of me. Saved me. ‘Music Box’ was the first album of my own I ever had, on a cassette tape that I played to oblivion. The complexity of Mariah as a singer, a songwriter, an artist … it was all present on that album and I fell in love with not only that album, but the woman behind it. To me, ‘Music Box’ will always be a treasure among treasures and a defining factor in my life.” —@JusHeatherTwo, Louisiana, Lamb since 1993.
Stream on Apple Music — Read more about “Music Box” on THE 97— Buy on Amazon
15. Mariah Carey (1990)
Why I Love It: This is the album that introduced the world to Mariah Carey. It and her debut single “Vision of Love” have made an indelible mark on the way R&B and pop vocalists sing. Not only that, but Carey showcased her songwriting skills from the start, penning every song on her self-titled debut album. Gorgeous ballads like “Vanishing,” “Alone in Love” and “All In Your Mind,” plus bops like “Someday” and “Sent From Up Above” gave us a hint at what the inimitable diva would go onto produce. However, it was just the beginning of her creative and commercial dominance, and Carey would only improve over time as she earned herself more creative freedom, and more life experience.
My Top Tier Songs: “Vision of Love,” “Alone In Love,” “Vanishing”
My Bottom Tier Songs: “You Need Me,” “There’s Got to Be a Way”
From the Lambs:
“Mariah Carey’s debut album holds a very special place in my heart. Everything began with ‘Love Takes Time’ a tender ballad that wrapped my soul in warmth and comfort. I still remember those difficult days in middle school, when life felt heavy and uncertain. I had known Mariah’s voice through songs like ‘Hero,’ ‘Melt Away,’ and ‘Through the Rain’—each one a gentle reminder to keep believing. But the first time I listened to ‘Love Takes Time,’ something changed inside me. I fell deeply in love with her music and played the song endlessly for a week. From that moment, I knew I would stand by Mariah Carey through every joy and sorrow. Her voice became my safe place, and my admiration for her has never faded.” —@aliframdhanalif, Indonesia, Lamb since 2013.
“My favorite Mariah Carey album is her debut. It was the one that first introduced me to her through ‘Love Takes Time,’ a song I’ve always connected with. I love how raw it feels, especially because it showcases some of Mariah’s earliest songwriting, which makes it feel sooo much more personal to me. I also love the production on ‘Alone in Love’ and ‘Prisoner,’ as well as the groove on ‘Sent from Up Above’ (my favorite track on the album). Every song has something special about it, and I think that’s what makes it a masterpiece from top to bottom!” —@musicbawx, Missouri, Lamb since 2019.
“I absolutely love Mariah’s debut album because of the variety and quality of the songs. Everything from ‘Vision of Love’ to ‘Prisoner’ is an experience for your ears, and don’t even get me started on her ICONIC whistles which started it all. Mariah’s debut is truly one of the best albums of all time. She’s the songbird supreme for a reason and this album is solid proof of her artistry.” —@JohnHou61633581, Pennsylvania, Lamb since 2020
Stream on Apple Music — Read more about The Debut on THE 97— Buy on Amazon
14. Glitter (2001)
Why I Love It: I love “Glitter,” I really do. It’s a unique project in that it’s really Mariah Carey’s only true concept album from a both thematic and sonic perspective. Sure, arguments could be made for “Daydream” as a (loose) concept album, or “Memoirs,” but on “Glitter,” Carey fully committed to the bit. She enlisted ’80s hitmakers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis to assist her in the production, alongside DJs Clark Kent (“Loverboy”) and Clue (“Last Night a DJ Saved My Life”). For the one of two rare instances where Carey isn’t a co-writer on one of her original songs, she deferred songwriting duties to 80s funk legend, Rick James. The result is an album that doesn’t sound ’80’s-inspired, but rather, it sounds as if it’s genuinely of the decade. She was, in many ways, ahead of her time (see: Sabrina Carpenter and Doja Cat’s latest albums, for example). While Carey does sing on every track, she tapped an array of collaborators for the project like Eric Benét for a duet (which is also featured in the film), and several hip-hop acts: Ja Rule, Nate Dogg, Mystikal, DaBrat, Ludacris, Twenty II, Shawnna, Busta Rhymes, and Fabolous. While understandable, all of these factors make the album great, but also less Mariah, and more, well Billie Frank and friends.
My Top Tier Songs: “Want You,” “All My Life,” “Never Too Far”
My Bottom Tier Songs: “If We,” “Don’t Stop (Funkin’ 4 Jamaica)”
From the Lambs: “My favorite album is ‘Glitter.’ It has my favorite song ‘Loverboy’ as the lead single. I love everything about the song. The way that in the music video the cars race, to Mariah’s hair flowing while she’s on top of the car. All the whoops and whistle tones at the end are my favorite part! The album is my favorite because it starts off with a very cheerful song [‘Loverboy’] and follows with very deep cuts and ballads. ‘Reflections’ is a very strong ballad in Mariah’s catalog. ‘Glitter’ also has a movie tie in, which makes it amazing because you get to hear songs from the album in the movie.” —@fishlover304, USA, Lamb since 2018.
Stream on Apple Music — Read more about “Glitter” on THE 97— Buy on Amazon
13. Memoirs an Imperfect Angel (2009)
Why I Love It: Most of Mariah Carey’s albums have a very timeless feel; she was never one to chase trends, if her music sounds of a specific time period, it’s usually because she was acting as a trendsetter, not a follower. That being said, there are two occasions in her catalog where that’s not the case, and one of them is ‘Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel.’ Co-written and co-produced almost entirely with The-Dream and Tricky Stewart, ‘Memoirs’ is also the only album where she worked with the same collaborators on every song. That makes it unique in her catalog in many ways, but also gives it a very “of the time” sound, and also lacks the stylistic variety that exists on most of her other albums. Still, it is a solid album with some real gems, some of which rank among my top MC songs. It’s also her most TikTok-ready album, having produced her two most viral sensations in “Obsessed” and “It’s a Wrap,” with potential for plenty more.
My Top Tier Songs: “H.A.T.E.U.,” “Betcha Gon’ Know,” “Candy Bling”
My Bottom Tier Songs: “I Want to Know What Love Is,” “Standing O,” “Inseparable”
From the Lambs:
“‘Memoirs’ is an album that I can put on in any mood or in any season of life and enjoy listening to every single song from start to finish. This is Mariah’s songwriting at its most witty (‘Up Out My Face,’ ‘More Than Just Friends’) and heartfelt (‘H.A.T.E.U.,’ ‘Angels Cry’). Some of the production may be a little dated now, but the songs are still bangers and some of the vocal production and auto tune gives the songs a darker tone that you won’t find anywhere else in Mariah’s discography. The album may not reach the highs of albums like ‘Daydream’ or ‘Butterfly’ but in my opinion it is much more consistent in quality throughout with zero filler. This is Mariah at her artistic peak, pen intact, voice intact, and she gives us a piece of every aspect of her personality.” —@adam6ever, New York, Lamb since 2013
“I love the Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel.I felt like it was a sonically refreshing album for Mariah Carey. I definitely love the work she does with Jermaine Dupri, Bryan Michael Cox and James Wright, who she was working with a lot at that time. But, Memoirs sounded like the route that I genuinely thought Mariah Carey should have taken at the time. I feel like between ‘Betcha Gon’ Know” and ‘Ribbon,’ those songs were missed opportunities from a singles standpoint.”—@Musictologist, Lamb since 2005
Stream on Apple Music — Read more about “Memoirs” on THE 97— Buy on Amazon
12. E=MC² (2008)
Why I Love It: The sequel to “The Emancipation Of Mimi” amplified the fun. It’s Mariah Carey’s most uptempo album, serving up several bops that are heavy on personality, big on the vocals and serve sex appeal. From the lead single “Touch My Body,” to “I’ll Be Lovin’ U Long Time,” “O.O.C.,” “Migrate,” or “Cruise Control,” Carey is having a good time. It also features a handful of vibey midtempos and ballads that showcase her signature vulnerability. Though, with a few too many nieces of “We Belong Together” in tow, they do kind of weigh down what is otherwise a bop-fest. At least there are two additionally fire bonus tracks, “Heat” and “4real4real.” While the album is a fun listen, honestly, I love Carey most for her introspective moments, and while it does have its moments (“I Wish You Well,” “Side Effects,” and “Bye Bye”) they’re outnumbered.
My Top Tier Songs: “Side Effects,” “I’m That Chick,” “For the Record”
My Bottom Tier Songs: “I Stay In Love,” “Last Kiss,” “Love Story”
From the Lambs: “Hands down, by far, ‘E=MC²’– ‘Einstein’– is my favorite Mariah Carey album of all time. It’s called ‘Einstein’ for a reason. The album is fucking genius. I love it because Mariah sounds amazing, obviously. It’s a perfect follow-up to ‘The Emancipation of Mimi.’ The songs just HIT. The songs are all bangers. It’s a no skip album. I love it.” —@alonaonline, Detroit, Lamb since 1996.
Stream on Apple Music — Read more about “E=MC²” on THE 97— Buy on Amazon
11. Emotions (1991)
Why I Love It: There have been several moments throughout Mariah Carey’s career where she successfully grasped for, and secured, a little bit more creative control. One of those moments that is least talked about is the “Emotions” album. Following the massive success of Carey’s near-diamond selling debut album, Tommy Mottola and the folks at Sony seemingly afforded her a little bit more creative control for her sophomore set. On “Emotions,” Carey was deservedly credited for her work as a producer for the first time, and even earned a Producer of the Year Grammy nomination for it in 1992. The 10 song set leaned more R&B than her debut, absent of some of the overproduced pop found there. Aside from throwing the Adult Contemporary crowd a bone on “And You Don’t Remember,” and its closing track, “The Wind,” which is written atop a jazz instrumental, the album is almost an entirely-R&B affair. From the infectious fun of its title track, to the Janet Jackson and George Michael inspired “Can’t Let Go,” to the gospel-leaning “Make It Happen,” to soul of “If It’s Over” (penned with the legendary Carole King), or the house of “To Be Around You,” Carey served up an array of hints as to the artist she wanted to be. Unfortunately, “Emotions” underperformed and the “powers that be” really reigned her creativity in on its follow up, “Music Box.”
My Top Tier Songs: “Can’t Let Go,” “Emotions,” “If It’s Over”
My Bottom Tier Songs: “And You Don’t Remember,” …nothing else.
From the Lambs: “‘Emotions’ to me is one of Mariah Carey’s most underrated albums, a true testament to her artistry, versatility, and fearlessness so early in her career. The album is a perfect fusion of genres, blending gospel, disco, jazz, and classic R&B into a body of work that feels both timeless and experimental. It captures Mariah at her most soulful and daring, as she pushed her vocal and creative boundaries beyond the sound of her debut. Songs like ‘Can’t Let Go,’ the #1 that slipped through the cracks, and the powerful ‘If It’s Over’ reveal her incredible vocal control and emotional storytelling, while ‘The Wind’ showcases her rare ability to interpret music with deep sensitivity. Meanwhile, ‘So Blessed’ and ‘Till the End of Time’ remain two of the most beautifully written and vocally stunning ballads in her catalog. ‘Emotions’ proves that even at such a young age, Mariah was crafting art, defining her sound, and solidifying herself as a visionary who would go on to shape the landscape of pop and soul music.”—@MeIAmMiiiichele, New York, Lamb since 1990.
Stream on Apple Music — Read more about “Emotions” on THE 97— Buy on Amazon
10. Charmbracelet (2002)
Why I Love It: Charmbracelet was a transitional album for Mariah Carey, in many ways. It acted as damage control following the “Glitter” debacle, was her first album with Island Def Jam, and she went even deeper with incorporating her love of R&B and Hip-Hop into her sound. Despite being led by the inspirational ballad “Through the Rain,” “Charmbracelet” is otherwise a contemporary R&B album that leaned into early 2000s trends; ones that were born from Carey’s own remix catalog of the late 90s. From her work with Just Blaze on the Jay-Z and Freeway featuring “You Got Me,” to the West Code vibes of “Irresistible” and “You Had Your Chance” and her first biting Eminem diss track “Clown,” Rapriah was born on “Charmbracelet.” Plus, there were early hints of the sound that would shape her comeback: the ballad with the beat (“The One”), soulful live instrumentation (“Subtle Invitation”), and alternative R&B grooves (“Lullaby”). Without Charmie, there would be no Mimi.
My Top Tier Songs: “Subtle Invitation,” “Lullaby,” “Clown”
My Bottom Tier Songs: “Boy (I Need You),” “Through the Rain”
From the Lambs: “I love the ‘Charmbracelet’ album, because I remember this time period so vividly… I specifically remember ordering the CD online and waiting for it to arrive. I feel like this was the [first] era where I was fully invested and fully in it, to go through it with her. This album often gets overshadowed because it’s sandwiched in between the disaster that ‘Glitter’ was (which it actually wasn’t) and ‘The Emancipation of Mimi’ which gets all the shine. Somewhere in between, there’s ‘Charmbracelet.’ I love it because the lyrics are really deep and she’s really telling a story. Something interesting about this era is that the album was more laid back and the vocals are more whispery, but when she did live performances to vocals were really strong. … This was also the first era where I saw Mariah live. She came to Zurich in spring 2003 for an album singing, and then in October 2003 she came to Zurich for her ‘Charmbracelet’ tour. So, I have lots of memories. ‘Charmbracelet’ will always have a special place in my heart.” —@phil_lifeisgood, Zurich, Lamb since 1999
Stream on Apple Music — Read more about “Charmbracelet” on THE 97— Buy on Amazon
9. Merry Christmas (1994)
Why I Love It: Mariah Carey released her first Christmas album just four years into her career, but it took another decade for her to begin to become synonymous with the season. Still, it all started in 1994, with “Merry Christmas.” The album is a triumph, simply put. It showcased Carey’s astute musicality like never before in the way she was able to reinterpret Christmas classics and pen three of her own that have become classics. Free from the pressure to make a hit pop album, she had the liberty to make a soulful, gospel-inspired album during the vocal apex of her career. Her choice to make the album sound timeless rather than fit into trends of 90s R&B or Pop is exactly why the album has become the model for pop stars making holiday music. From the wall of sound, rock and roll style of “All I Want For Christmas is You” to her inimitable rendition of “O’ Holy Night” or her refreshing spin on “Joy to the World,” Carey earned her throne by making one of the best Christmas albums of all time.
My Top Tier Songs: “All I Want For Christmas is You,” “Joy to the World”
My Bottom Tier Songs: “Silent Night”
From the Lambs: “I love ‘Merry Christmas’ because it just gives off classic vibes, not many people can do that early on in their career. It has gospel, upbeat [songs] … it has emotion, it has ballads, it has one of my favorite songs, ‘All I Want For Christmas is You.’ I think my favorite song is ‘Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)’, because her cover is just immaculate.” —@JamesMuLamb, Lamb since 2019
Stream on Apple Music — Read more about “Merry Christmas” on THE 97— Buy on Amazon
8. Merry Christmas II You (2010)
Why I Love It: They say the sequel is never better than the original, but, I don’t know about that in the case of Mariah Carey’s Christmas albums. Released 16 years later, “Merry Christmas II You” is not a carbon copy of the winning formula found on its predecessor. While her first Christmas set was mostly inspired by gospel and rock and roll, for her second, Carey chose to go bigger, incorporating orchestral arrangements (“Christmastime is in the Air Again”), hip-hop homages (“Here Comes Santa Claus”), and soulful crooning (“When Christmas Comes”). While “All I Want For Christmas is You” is in a league of its own, she outdoes herself with the four originals penned for the sequel. They all deserve to become modern-day Christmas classics. The orchestral arrangements she produced alongside legendary composer Marc Shaiman elevate both the covers and originals on the album, delivering a level of grandiosity befitting the Diva of our time, who, soon after its release, would be crowned the “Queen of Christmas.” This album was a crucial step on her journey to the throne, and it’s about time it is celebrated as such.
My Top Tier Songs: “Christmastime is in the Air Again,” “When Christmas Comes”
My Bottom Tier Songs: “The First Noel”
From the Lambs: “I like it because I’m more a fan of her later because she’s doing what she wants to do. She doesn’t have someone over her shoulder or regulating what she does. Not that she wasn’t authentic in her first [Christmas] album, it just means a lot more that she was where she wanted to be when she made this album, and also pregnant with the twins. … “O Come All Ye Faithful/Halleluljah Chorus’ with Ms. Pat and ‘When Christmas Comes,’ those are my two favorite songs, and I have a hard time choosing. But I do really like ‘Hallelujah Chorus’ with Ms. Pat, I listen to it almost every morning. They both sounded beautiful, Ms. Pat sounded beautiful. I mimic her part all the time. Also in her Apple program, the [‘Here Comes Santa Claus’] with Snoop and JD – perfection. It’s so good. I love it. Of course I love both albums, but ‘Merry Christmas II You’ felt closer to me, and it was just my vibe a lot more.”—@Bo_berryCarey, Virginia, Lamb since 2001
Stream on Apple Music — Read more about “Merry Christmas II You” on THE 97— Buy on Amazon
7. Caution (2018)
Why I Love It: “Caution” came, at the time, after the longest gap between Carey’s albums, and it certainly didn’t disappoint. With its slick production, sharp songwriting and vibey vocals, “Caution” matches its album cover perfectly: it’s chill, cool, and contemporary. Carey challenged herself by working an array of different producers, and the result was a fresh set of tracks that haven’t aged a bit in the seven years since its release. She left her comfort zone for this project, yet she still sounds right at home. Folks will complain about its lack of big vocals or big ballads, but she has other albums you can go to for that. “Caution” is its own vibe, and in her discography, it’s unmatched.
My Top Tier Songs: “Giving Me Life,” “Caution,” “Portrait,” “A No No”
My Bottom Tier Songs: “Stay Long Love U,” “Runway”
From the Lambs: “It was my first time experiencing a Mariah Carey era after discovering her whole discography… The album roll out just had such great interviews, like with Genius, that was truly her best interview, I learned so much about her. The ‘Caution’ tour had so many memorable moments, such as the Glitter medley, we hadn’t heard those songs in a long time…. The album is contemporary but still classic Mariah. It was such a full fledged era, it was lush, it was everything, it was the moment.” —@dantedidomenico, Toronto, Lamb since 2018
Stream on Apple Music — Read more about “Caution” on THE 97— Buy on Amazon
6. Here For It All (2025)
Why I Love It: “Here For It All” harkens back to Carey’s early years when her albums were 10-12 tracks; before the eras of rereleases, bonus tracks, and the like. Though there is allegedly a deluxe version to come, for now, this is all we have, and a tight 11 it is. I can confidently say that I love and enjoy every song on the album. Every other album has a skip or a sometimes skip, but not “Here For It All.” I’m literally here for them all. As her first album without a major label, Carey is seemingly experiencing her third emancipation. First it was “Butterfly,” then “The Emancipation of Mimi,” and now “Here For It All.” While she and Larry Jackson say she wants that 20th and 21st #1, I don’t know how true that is. This album sounds like an artist creating for the love of music, not for commercial success. But, for more on that… read my album review.
My Top Tier Songs: “I Won’t Allow It,” “Here For It All,” “Confetti & Champagne”
My Bottom Tier Songs: “Sugar Sweet,” if I had to choose one, but honestly… none.
From the Lambs: “It is introspective like ‘Me. I Am Mariah’ but with much less sadness. This album has pain, but healing. It is free in the way she sings, free in the openness and honesty of her writing. Every one of the 11 tracks serves a purpose. This is indeed her ‘Mi’ era, and it is a fully earned era of focusing on what makes her happy. We are invited along for the ride, and it has been full of surprises so far.”–@R_Lucretia_, Chicago, Lamb since 1990
Stream on Apple Music — Read more about “Here For It All” on THE 97— Buy on Amazon
5. Daydream (1995)
Why I Love It: “Daydream” was the first Mariah Carey album I remember listening to; I was five years old when it came out. My mother had the CD, and eventually… I co-opted it as my own. I remember listening to the album in the car and loving the singles, as well as my long standing favorite album cut, “Long Ago.” Back then, I didn’t pay attention to song titles and just knew it was track #8. Thirty years later, it’s still top tier on the album, for me. “Daydream” has two of Carey’s best #1 singles: “Fantasy” and “Always Be My Baby,” two incomparable hits. It also has gems like “Underneath the Stars,” “Melt Away,” “Looking In,” and my aforementioned personal fave “Long Ago.” Tracks like these are what make this album a classic, and, deservedly, one of her two Diamond certified albums. “Daydream” was a transitionary time for Carey, as she began to break away from the creative confines of her then-husband, and started venturing more into the R&B/Hip-Hop sound that would come to define her beyond 1995. Still, she had to do as she was told: songs like “When I Saw You,” “Open Arms” and “Forever,” while of course vocally impressive, artistically have little of interest. Even “One Sweet Day” and “I Am Free,” while great, would’ve been even better had she had the freedom to lean fully into their R&B sounds. Still, the heights on “Daydream” are among the best of her career, and it was a necessary step on her journey to emancipation.
My Top Tier Songs: “Always Be My Baby,” “Long Ago,” “Looking In,” “Fantasy”
My Bottom Tier Songs: “When I Saw You,” “Open Arms,” “Forever”
From the Lambs:
“I love ‘Daydream’ the most because it is such a depiction of just how great Mairah’s pen game really really is. The songwriting is so exquisite, it’s so pristine… There are so many different examples on this album of how she can articulate an emotion. With how whimsical Daydream feels, the writing is so poignant. It’s direct, and it’s really just perfect. We have one of the most beautifully crafted songs ever to exist in ‘Always Be My Baby,’ such beautiful imagery in ‘Underneath the Stars,’ to even the cover, ‘Open Arms,’ that feels like a Mariah Carey song. It’s her song. My favorite Mariah Carey song ever is ‘Melt Away.’ Mariah Carey, Babyface, how can you get anything better? That’s like a match made in heaven. And then ending with the masterpiece that is ‘Looking In’? I don’t know a person that can craft a better album. Top to bottom, Mariah Carey is a musician and ‘Daydream’ is a perfect example of that.” –@JustJameis, Baltimore, Lamb since 2009
“I remember the day it came out, my mom picked me up from school early. We drove to Blockbuster Music in the mall. I went and bought a copy of the CD and listened to it all the way home…. I think what elevates ‘Daydream’ above just being a pop album, is its heart. It captures joy with ‘Fantasy,’ longing with ‘Always Be My Baby,’ introspection with ‘Looking In,’ and in transcendence with ‘One Sweet Day’ – all through a magical voice that is Mariah Carey, that feels both divine and deeply human. This album was my life in high school… everybody was listening to that album in school. It was actually nice because … it could actually blend in with others. … When you’re in high school, it’s such important years of your life, and that was my freshman year. It just kicked off an amazing time. … This album overall has meant so much to me as an adolescent into an adult. The album is timeless.” –@ScooterInSA, Texas, Lamb since 1990
Stream on Apple Music — Read more about “Daydream” on THE 97— Buy on Amazon
4. The Emancipation of Mimi (2005)
Why I Love It: With “The Emancipation of Mimi,” Mariah Carey fully leaned into the artist that she wanted to be. It was the beginning of the second phase of her career, a fittingly more free era where she no longer ceded creative control to the advice of anyone she didn’t agree with. She merged the sounds of the contemporary R&B she had inspired with the 70’s R&B and Soul that inspired her to craft an album that spanned the gamut of who she is as an artist. She’s an “old soul” who loves nostalgia, but an “eternally 12” child at heart who is forever tapped into the latest trends. “We Belong Together” was the perfect representation of those two facts, referencing classic R&B while incorporating modern production elements. Elsewhere on the album, she leaned into the Soul-sampling Hip-Hop trends with “Stay the Night,” and exquisitely emulated 70’s R&B with tracks like “Circles” and “I Wish You Knew.” On “Mimi,” Carey collaborated with a wide array of heavyweights, but there were two common denominators that guaranteed the set’s success: her pen, and her voice. She proved, once and for all, that Mariah Carey can never be counted out.
My Top Tier Songs: “Stay the Night,” “Circles,” “So Lonely”
My Bottom Tier Songs: “To the Floor,” “Makin’ It Last All Night,” “Mine Again”
From the Lambs: “It’s Mariah’s comeback, it’s a masterpiece… She took her time to create all of those beautiful songs, timeless songs. It is an amazing statement piece for Mariah’s artistry. I believe generations to come will study just how masterful this album is. It will always have a special place in my heart, simply because I love Mariah and I believe she is the greatest of all time. This album is a testament to that.” –@StevieDerrick_ Indianapolis, Lamb since 1997
Stream on Apple Music — Read more about “Mimi” on THE 97— Buy on Amazon
3. Rainbow (1999)
Why I Love It: Mariah Carey’s ‘Rainbow’ is befitting of its title: like a rainbow is a spectrum of color, this album is a spectrum of sounds. It has an array of different styles and moods, representing the many facets of Mariah Carey, the artist, and the person. It has some of her career-best tracks. “Heartbreaker” is an iconic track, the pinnacle of her Hip-Pop inspired lead singles. While it does have a remix, it didn’t even need it. “Crybaby,” meanwhile, is an immaculate song: it’s got to be top 10 or maybe even top 5 in her catalog. The way the she builds an R&B song atop that sample, and then throws some gospel-inspired background vocals into the mix, it’s pure genius. On “Bliss,” she utilizes her whistle register like only she can. “Petals” is perhaps one of the the most heartbreaking ballads she’s recorded. “Can’t Take That Away” is her anthem, and ours. The “Make It Last” remix of “Thank God I Found You” is her greatest cover to date. “X-Girlfriend” and “How Much” are quintessential Y2k R&B cuts. “Against All Odds” is a vocal tour de force. “After Tonight” is the sequel to “My All,” and while that song is tough to match, it comes as close as can be. And, irritating sample aside, “Did I Do That?” has some of her most biting quips; it mothered “Obsessed.” The title track, which she extended into a dance remix for its 25th anniversary, is gorgeous in both its original and remixed forms. From start to finish, “Rainbow” is Mariah Carey at her most camp.
My Top Tier Songs: “Crybaby,” “Petals,” “Heartbreaker”
My Bottom Tier Songs: “Against All Odds,” “Did I Do That?”
From the Lambs:
“My favorite album is ‘Rainbow’! I love them all, but ‘Rainbow’ helped shape me into who I am today, as it came out during a core developmental part of my adolescence, when I needed it the most. ‘Rainbow’ has saved so many of our lives. Our Queen Mariah Carey helped us build our confidence, affirm our self-worth, and learn resilience through this album… We are from so many different walks of life, yet those of us who love this album had the same resonance with ‘Rainbow’, and we’re better for it now. It helped me navigate through life in many ways such as: how to handle bullying (‘Can’t Take That Away’), how to come to a place of closure with those who have hurt me (‘Petals’), and instilling hope, perseverance, and resiliency (‘Rainbow Interlude,’ ‘Thank God I Found You’) This album has helped many of us Lambs learn to be unapologetic about who we are, no matter what that looks like. Like Mariah’s music, the symbol of the rainbow also has such a large variety of meanings to people, whether it’s God’s promise to never flood the earth again, the symbol of PRIDE for the LGBTQIA community, having a baby after a miscarriage/loss of a child, people coming together in unity, etc. Essentially, it all boils down to this: A rainbow is quite literally the result of the sun emerging after the storm, therefore it is a symbol of hope and resiliency, which is something so many of us can relate to. The story of the ‘Rainbow’ album is a celebration of resiliency. Life has been rough, but every day that we live to see another one is something to celebrate!”–@kplzGRIND, USA, Lamb since 1990
“My favorite MC album is ‘Rainbow’ for many reasons. The first reason is because I love the R&B and Hip Hop influences that she used for that album. I also love her looks and artwork during that era, it’s so beautiful. I also love the ballads that’s on that album like ‘Bliss,’ ‘Thank God I Found You,’ and ‘After Tonight.’ There’s such beautiful ballads on that album that I love so dearly. I also love how her vocals are very sensual and vulnerable on that album. As well as, those whistle runs on that album really showcased her creativity and sounded very heavenly.
… The song I really can connect to the most is ‘Can’t Take That Away’ and it’s because it’s such a very inspirational and uplifting ballad that got me through the most toughest times of my life, and it helped me got through what I was going through with people bringing me down and not being able to fit in with other kids because I was different from everyone else. That song definitely changed my life.” –@KanayahSmith, California, Lamb since 2020.
Stream on Apple Music — Read more about “Rainbow” on THE 97— Buy on Amazon
2. Me. I Am Mariah… The Elusive Chanteuse (2014)
Why I Love It: Well, I created a podcast and published a print magazine in celebration of this album; is that evidence enough that I adore this album? But, why? I’ll never forget my first listen of this album. It was an iTunes first listen stream, before Apple Music existed, and hearing “Cry.” for the first time just shook me. The album is an emotional journey that is hard to fathom; it’s even more heavy than her first pre-divorce album, “Butterfly.” Released as her marriage to Nick Cannon was falling apart, “The Elusive Chanteuse” is not only her most honest work to date, it’s also one of her most versatile and varied. From gut-wrenching ballads like “Camouflage,” “The Art of Letting Go,” and “Cry,” to the refreshingly chill vibes of “#Beautiful,” “Faded,” and “You’re Mine (Eternal)” to the bitingly shady bops like “Thirsty,” “Meteorite,” and “You Don’t Know What to Do” the album captures every facet of Mariah Carey. Unfortunately, it was the most grossly mishandled era of her career… one that truly deserved, and was capable of, much more.
My Top Tier Songs: “Dedicated,” “You Don’t Know What to Do,” “Camouflage”
My Bottom Tier Songs: “Heavenly”
From the Lambs: “Mariah has blessed us with a lot of 10/10 albums but ‘Me. I Am Mariah… The Elusive Chanteuse’ is, without question, my #1. Opening with ‘Cry.’ and ‘Faded’ was such a bold, emotional move. These tracks are heartbreakers in the best way—raw, vulnerable, and vocally liberating. The way she lets loose at the end of both songs? Pure inspiration. Just incredible… This album is just so Mariah. She sounds completely free, making music she loves, on her terms… When this album came out, I wasn’t going through anything particularly great or terrible so I got to fully sink into it. Every song, every time. There are just so many tracks I love on this album. It’s endlessly replayable—there’s a song for every mood: heartbreak, joy, gratitude, longing, fun, excitement, even suffering. Her vocals on this record? From another universe. Every listen makes me fall in love with her voice all over again. I’m just endlessly grateful this album exists.”—@TerryTokyo, Chicago, Lamb since 1990.
Stream on Apple Music — Order our zine — Listen to the podcast —Buy on Amazon
1. Butterfly (1997)
Why I Love It: Well, “Butterfly” is one of the reasons for this site’s name, so it is no surprise that it lands at #1 on my ranking. It’s my favorite album of all time. There is so much to say about the album, in fact, I have written quite extensively about it. Simply put, the album is Mariah Carey at her very best. On “Butterfly” her songwriting transcended from genius level pop songwriter to a profoundly prolific artist. Though we had hints before (“Looking In,” “Underneath the Stars”) never had Carey’s songwriting been so raw and introspective (“Close My Eyes,” “Outside”), emotionally gut-wrenching (“Breakdown,” “Butterfly”) or narrative on a literary level (“The Roof,” “Fourth of July,” “My All”). She was in her prime vocally, too. While some may say 1993-1996 was her technical vocal peak, on “Butterfly” she tapped into the soul of her voice like she never had before. Of course, as its title suggests, the “Butterfly” era represented personal and artistic freedom for Carey, and the music reflects that. From the sexy, fun of “Honey,” to the liberation of “Fly Away” and the emotional catharsis that she relays throughout, “Butterfly” is and will always be Carey’s magnum opus. It set the blueprint for every album since: a cunty, hip-hop sampling bop (“Honey”), an inspirational ballad (“Butterfly”), a relatable, yearning love song (“My All”), a moody, vibey hip-hop inspired mid-tempo (“The Roof”), a fluttering, soulful ballad (“Fourth of July”), a gut-wrenched (“Breakdown”), an alternative R&B groove (“Breakdown”), a classic love song (“Whenever You Call”), an introspective ballad (“Close My Eyes”), an 80s cover (“The Beautiful Ones”), a dance remix (“Fly Away,” one trend I wish she continued), and a gospel-tinged album closer (“Outside”). While she’s varied the formula some, this general guideline has defined most of her albums, and to much success. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
From the Lambs:
“‘Butterfly’ is one of my favorite albums—not only by Mariah but of the R&B genre as a whole. You can clearly hear the sound of liberation throughout this record. Mariah fully dives into the sound she had longed to create since the beginning of her career… ‘Close My Eyes’ has always felt like it was written for me—how could Mariah have known what was happening in my life, in my heart, in my thoughts? She was speaking directly to me, and I felt so connected to that song. But if there’s another track that has truly touched my soul, it’s ‘The Roof.’ For me, it’s the masterpiece—not only of the album but of Mariah’s entire career. Using that sample, those lyrics… pure genius! And then there’s the video—so elegantly sensual, with an enchanting kind of beauty…. The album is so much more than Mariah’s freedom; it’s a masterpiece. Listening to it wraps around your soul and lifts you up to the highest heights—emotionally and spiritually.” —@b2fly2000, Spain, Lamb since 1990.
“My favorite album by Mariah is ‘Butterfly,’ actually it’s my favorite album by any artist. ‘Butterfly’ came out when I was a young preteen still trying to figure out what I wanted out of life and really who I was. It was a turning point in my life really. It mirrored my own journey of breaking free, finding my voice and finally learning to accept myself. The album’s mix of vulnerability and strength taught me that growth means letting go, loving who I am, and embracing my own transformation without apology. With songs like ‘Close My Eyes’ and ‘Outisde’ I’ve turned to those songs so many times to find the strength to get through so many hard times in my life. I will always credit Mariah for helping me to find my voice and accepting who I am.” –@justin8622, Alabama, Lamb since 1995
