Of course, Carey’s place in the music record books is more than secure. She has spent more weeks at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 than any other artist (91) and has more #1 singles than any other solo artist (19). Her albums have been certified for a total of 74 million units by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), making her the top-ranking woman, and second to only Michael Jackson among Black artists. It’s only natural that, for most of her career, Carey surely felt pressure to succeed as a hitmaker.

“When ‘Caution’ finally came, at that point in her career there was nothing else for her to prove,” says Princess Gabbara, an entertainment journalist, editor, and author whose writing has appeared in ESSENCE, Vibe, MTV News, and Billboard, where she interviewed Carey.

“She was able to create music for fun again, just for herself and the people who appreciate it most: her fans.”

Released after a tumultuous period both personally and professionally, Carey was a woman liberated on “Caution.” No longer confined by commercial expectations, she commanded the respect she deserved and earned. Carey, seemingly more comfortable and sure of herself than ever, returned to the studio in early 2018 to begin the recording sessions that would compose “Caution.”

“The studio is such a safe place for me, the right environment,” Carey told Rob Markman during her “Genius Level” interview. “I had been outside of that environment for too long and doing too many superfluous things that I really didn’t need to be doing.”

Over the four and a half years between “Caution” and 2014’s “Me. I Am Mariah… The Elusive Chanteuse,” Carey indeed had a lot going on. She got divorced, engaged, and then broke it off. She changed managers a few times, went on three tours, had two Las Vegas residencies, produced a cringe-worthy reality TV show… and then there was the New Year’s Eve 2017 debacle. However, she kicked off 2018 by returning to the very same stage, vindicating herself with a stellar performance. 

Later that year, she disclosed that she’s battled bipolar disorder since 2001, saying she could no longer “live in constant fear” of someone exposing her (spoiler alert: someone was about to do so). In an exclusive interview with People, Carey admitted, “​​I sought and received treatment, I put positive people around me and I got back to doing what I love — writing songs and making music.” Seven months later, she released “Caution.”

“’Caution’ is a return to her creative prowess because all of the negative drama was gone, and she could just create with no distraction,” says Gabbara. 

During her “Genius Level” interview, Carey also spoke on the creative process behind the album: “I really wanted to collaborate. One of my favorite things to do is collaborate and go back and forth…I did a lot of that on this record.”

That she did. “Caution” found Carey collaborating with an array of producers and songwriters, most of whom she had never worked with before. The result was an impressively fresh, modern R&B album. Teaming up with trusted names like Timbaland, No ID, Shea Taylor, Poo Bear, Bibi Bourelly, DJ Mustard, Nineteen85, and The Stereotypes, Carey masterfully combined contemporary R&B styles with her signature, crossover sensibilities. She also worked with less predictable collaborators, such as EDM producer Skrillex and, most notably, Dev Hynes of Blood Orange. Though each of the album’s ten tracks pairs Carey with a different set of co-producers, they mesh perfectly.

“It’s one of her most cohesive albums,” says Taylor Gray, indie R&B artist and playlist curator. “She was able to fuse many different sounds and collaborators and it worked seamlessly. It was very forward-thinking for Mariah … a little more alternative in certain elements.”

One of the album’s most “alternative” sounding tracks is “Giving Me Life.” Penned by Carey and Hynes, with a guest verse from Hip-Hop legend Slick Rick, the track is like nothing Carey has ever recorded, yet still manages to sound unmistakably her own. 

“I think her collaboration with Blood Orange is an indication of the future for her,” says Andrew Chan, author of “Why Mariah Carey Matters,” a book critically examining Carey’s legacy. “The whole weird psychedelic outro that she does, it’s just fantastic.”

Praise for “Caution” is not limited to Gabbara, Chan, or Gray. On Metacritic, a website that creates an aggregate score for albums based on published reviews, the album has a score of 82 based on nine reviews, which they note as “universal acclaim.”

“She started to finally receive a lot of her flowers,” says Gabbara. “It felt like a full-circle moment. Not only the fans, but the critics recognized that too.” 

Critics were definitely impressed. In Entertainment Weekly, Leah Greenblatt wrote, “On … the breezy, pleasingly defiant ‘Caution,’ she finds a freshness that’s been missing from her recent material.” Similarly, in the Pitchfork review by Maura Johnston, she noted that Carey employs “of-the-moment producers to add current touches to her tracks, but the way she uses them on ‘Caution’ results in her fine-tuning her aesthetic, not bending to current playlist-friendly trends.”

For Spin, Winston Cook-Wilson gave Carey, and “Caution,” high praise: “More than just a sound effect, “Mariah Carey”-ness is a style and an attitude, a mode in which so many artists continue to make music. On ‘Caution,’ she is still doing it better than most of her students, and sounds more comfortable than she has in quite a while.”

Chan, too, notes that this album marked a shift in how critics wrote about Carey, but he also attributes that to a change in demographics among critics: “Things change when more people of color start writing about music; when more queer people start writing about music. Much of the music criticism was controlled by a certain type of straight white man who really had no interest in what Mariah or a lot of other black women were bringing to the table musically.” 

“It also says something about how Mariah’s legacy has solidified,“ he adds.

While Carey is famously averse to acknowledging time, the album was released 28 years into her career, on the cusp of her fourth decade in the industry. At 54, Carey is far from retirement but is certainly a veteran, a “legacy act” – which comes with good and bad elements. Due to ageism (and slightly confusing single choices), the album barely made a dent, commercially. However, its critical acclaim and subsequent celebrations of her legacy that followed “Caution” show that Carey is beginning to receive the respect that an artist of her caliber deserves.

“People started to realize we need to appreciate our living legends while we have them,” says Gabbara.

Since “Caution” was released, Carey herself has made several conscious decisions to celebrate her legacy and catalog. While she may opt to refer to them as minutes and not years, she celebrated the 25th Anniversary of iconic albums “Daydream,” and “Butterfly,” the 30th Anniversary of “Music Box,” and her entire career with a campaign called “#MC30.” In 2020, she also released her first memoir, “The Meaning of Mariah Carey,” alongside an album of unreleased songs “from the vault,” titled “The Rarities.” 

Each of these events was met with celebration from fans and critics alike, perhaps contributing to the snowballing success of Carey’s evergreen classic “All I Want For Christmas Is You,” which, after notching its first week at #1 in 2019, has only grown more popular. With it, Carey’s profile as the “Queen of Christmas” continues to elevate. 

This year, her “It’s Time” video announcing the start of the holiday Mariah season became the most-watched video on Twitter (X), with over 122 million views. On TikTok, it has over 93 million. Currently, Carey is on tour spreading Christmas cheer with a setlist that includes holiday favorites, as well as some of her biggest hits and fan favorites. Just in time to celebrate its 5th anniversary, there’s even a “Caution” cut included, the Lil’ Kim-sampling gem that should’ve been its lead single: “A No No.” 

As she continues to release (GRAMMY-nominated) special editions of her classic albums and trek around the world each Christmas as obligated by The Crown, it’s becoming increasingly clear that Mariah Carey is no longer shying away from reminding us that while she may be the Queen of Christmas, she is not just the Christmas lady. Following the acclaim she received for “Caution,” Carey has definitely seemed more emboldened and aware of her worth. 

“I think maybe there is something that happens with artists who just don’t get any critical respect,” says Chan. “It’s almost like you feel shy about praising yourself or putting yourself forward as a major musician, maybe because you’ve never been made to feel that by people who have respected positions and can judge that. Once you have a sense of how influential you are and it’s being acknowledged in the press, I can understand how that would make you go back and reflect on what your contribution has been over decades.”

In celebration of the album’s release, Sony Music installed an exhibition called “The Mariah Carey Experience” at Sony Square in New York City. With different photo booths that allowed fans to recreate a couple of her iconic album covers, a museum-style display of her #1 hits and memorable ensembles, and of course a Christmas moment, it simultaneously placed her legacy front and center alongside her then-new album.

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Before landing on “Caution,” Carey originally planned to title the album after a different track, the reflective ballad “Portrait.” A tradition at this point, she bares all on the dramatically introspective album closer. She sings, “I won’t let the teardrops spill tonight/ Just conceal myself and hide/ This portrait of my life.” Dripping in insecurity, “Portrait” illustrates a woman fighting to survive, remaining resilient (“down but not demoralized”), but in shame (“how do I disappear?”).

The last song recorded for the album, “Caution,” became the album’s title track instead. A wise choice, from both a stylistic (the song is more representative of the set, sonically) and marketing (the artwork and other caution-taped theme promo materials were really cool) standpoint. However, maybe unconsciously, “Caution” paints the picture of a much different woman in comparison to “Portrait.” On the slinky, Caribbean-inspired groove, Carey confidently sings, “Proceed with caution, but don’t make me wait/ Before too long, it just might fade away.” 

While yes, the song is about a new relationship, perhaps as an album title it was metaphorical. “Caution,” the album, was a catalyst; it was Mariah Carey putting the world on notice. She demanded respect as an artist, and releasing a damn good body of work was the most effective form of statement to make her case.

Recently, Carey announced that she’s back in the studio working on her next album – the follow-up to “Caution” that fans have been eagerly anticipating. Indeed, “it’s time.”

Revisit “Caution” by Mariah Carey

The post Mariah Carey and the Catalyst of “Caution” appeared first on THE 97.

Since its release in November 2018, Mariah Carey’s fifteenth studio album Caution almost hasn’t aged. (Just like the Queen who created it). Lauded with rave reviews by critics upon its release, adored by the loyal Lambily in every waking minute since, the album still sounds as fresh and impressive as it did on day one. Twenty-eight years into her career, Mariah Carey crafted an impeccable album that ushered in the third phase of her career.

PROCEED WITH CONTEXT

Phase one marked her debut and rise to “it-girl” status; she reigned for 11 years as the Princess of Pop/R&B, racking up 15 #1 singles, 9 multi-platinum albums, including nearly 3 diamond albums (her debut frustratingly sits at 9x Platinum, for now), becoming Billboard’s Artist of the Decade.

Phase two was marked by her comeback with the 6x Platinum The Emancipation of Mimi, which produced her 16th and 17th #1 singles and the most successful single of her career, with which she cemented her iconic status. Capped off with her 18th #1 single, “Touch My Body,” and followed later by the hits “Obsessed” (#7) and “Beautiful” (#15), Mariah Carey’s status as an iconic hitmaker was cemented. Also during this time, she was slowly but surely assumed her title of “the Queen of Christmas,” as “All I Want For Christmas Is You” began an unstoppable ascent to classic-status, beginning in 2004.

Now, since the release of Caution, Mariah Carey stands loftily in Phase 3, bearing the title of Legend that she so valiantly earned. Since 2015’s #1 to Infinity Las Vegas residency, Mariah has quietly been amassing more of the respect she so deserves. Part of the cause for delay was Mariah herself. Though she has a reputation for being an overdramatic diva, she is in all actuality quite modest, and humble. She’d always shy away from talking up her accomplishments, spouting off her resume, or allowing herself to be honored. Though now, something has changed and she seems more willing to embrace, and celebrate, her legendary status.

PROCEED WITH CAUTION

Caution serves as the musical accompaniment to that new narrative. On Caution, Mariah is on point in every way. She delivers a cohesive body of work that lives up to her title as Legend. Her writing is up to her own gold standard, her vocals (though subdued) are flawless and unmistakably Mariah, and the production sounds current, yet feels classic. There are songs on this album that will sit comfortably among the best songs of her entire career, side-by-side with some of her 90s classics. Yes, the album is THAT good.

IN RETROSPECT

Personally, I always find it hard to process a new album immediately after its release. I like to live with it for some time, and reflect upon it retrospectively. So, I decided to do a track-by-track review, ranking Caution‘s eleven tracks from least to most favorite. Please, Mariah and Lambily alike, don’t take offense. I literally adore each of these songs, so its just a question of how much, relatively! So, here we go.

11. “Runway”

Japanese bonus track “Runway” is one of Mariah’s two collaborations with producers Skrillex & Lido on the album. I adore the lyrical sentiments of the song, and the use of the “Butterfly” sample was indeed clever. However, the high-pitched sample is a bit overdone and, thus, I really have to be in the mood for it. It’s also probably the most poppy song on the album and feels a bit out of place on the otherwise very modern R&B sounding album. Leaving it off the standard version definitely makes sense, sonically – and quality-wise, too. Still, its triumphant message would have been an uplifting closer to follow “Portrait.”

10. “With You”

The album’s official lead single “With You” comes next, mostly because I have to be feeling a certain vibe for it. “With You” is an interesting song in that although it’s a happy song in theory, its vibe is almost somberly reflective. It’s a total quiet storm jam and though its subdued vocally (like most of the album), it delivers excellence via its melody and gorgeous and oh-so-Mariah lyrics. Like, how can anyone not adore the allusion to 1997’s “Breakdown,” in the song’s bridge: “He said ‘yo, I been lovin’ you so long, ever since that Bone Thugs song, you ain’t gotta breakdown you’re too strong.'” Impossible. That, combined with the lush chorus that manages to feature a classic Mariah-style references to an expensive liquor (“shots of Remy”) and a now-nostalgic album (“playing Confessions, our bodies blending”), as well as both an SAT-level word (“but we muddle through”) and an obscenity (“damn I fucks with you”). Queen pulled out all the stops on “With You,” from allusion to imagery. My ONLY gripes about the song are… 1. Why was it the lead single?, and, 2. “DJ Mustard on the beat.” Be quiet, sir.

(Also, what happened to video of that gorgeous AMA performance?!)

9. “Stay Long Love You”

This really is so hard. For me, this and “With You” are almost equals, but I had to bump “Stay Long Love You” up ahead because it is such a bop. In a discography of mostly mid-tempos and ballads, a high quality bop from Mariah Carey is highly appreciated, and “Stay Long Love You” does not disappoint. Co-produced by The Stereotypes, famous for their work with Bruno Mars, its a unique yet not at all out of place addition to Queen Carey’s catalogue. Slinky, sexy, and sweltering, “Stay Long Love You” adds straight fire to Caution. Good luck getting it out of your head.

8. “One Mo’ Gen”

I can’t lie, the Janet fan in me loves when the self-described Mary Poppins gets a little nasty, and “One Mo’ Gen” is just that. If “Honey” and “Bliss” had a lovechild, it’d be “One Mo’ Gen.” Sensual yet sassy, this mid-tempo jam finds a very demanding Mariah owning her diva attitude in a quest for pleasure, “one mo’ gen.” She opens the song asking, “did you like when I put my lips there?” – need I say more? Shout out to Tanaka.

7. “8th Grade”

When thinking of a word to describe “8th Grade,” the first that comes to mind is “thought provoking.” When we first found out the track listing, myself and other Lambs alike all wondered what on earth this song could be about. Upon first listen, a lot of us were still confused. In a tweet, Mariah explained, “The title reflects on the melancholic feeling I used to have as a kid.” The main takeaway I get from “8th Grade” somehow brings me back to the lyric from 1997’s “Close My Eyes,” when she sings, “maybe I grew up a little too soon.” On the Timbaland co-production “8th Grade,” she’s reflecting on that, singing about how she was sort of above the silliness of teenage romances, because she “grew up … too soon” and saw through it all. On “8th Grade,” she asks, “Maybe the lyrics are too heavy in my song?” and then sings, “I’m not your world, I’m not your life – tell me what that means to you.” Here, she almost chides the potential crush, rejecting the notion of seemingly immature expressions of affection that teenagers (and some adults) throw around rather carelessly. The fact that Mariah can still create a song like this 28 years into her career, that can on the surface sound so simple yet still incite such thought… that is the stuff of legends. And genius songwriters. Both of which describe Mariah Carey.

6. “The Distance”

My biggest pet peeve about “The Distance” is when people say it features a rap. “The Distance” is a duet with singer Ty Dolla $ign. While he may rap as well, on “The Distance” he is singing! Anyway, the song is such a feel good moment, a true anthem that had potential to be a modest hit for the pair. The performance of the song on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon and its lyric video implied it was being considered, but that never came to fruition, sadly. It would’ve made a much better choice of lead single. Seemingly an ode to her new relationship with choreographer/dancer boyfriend Bryan Tanaka, “The Distance” is a timeless sounding song that sings of love and resilience.

5. “GTFO”

The album’s first release, buzz single “GTFO” still punches. I’m not sure there’s an artist out there that could pull off a song like “GTFO” so impeccably; only Mariah. How can one song sound so beautiful yet so shady? It’s an art that only Mariah Carey is a master of. She slides over a hard beat, fluttering vocals delivering those four biting words: “get the fuck out.” Also, those background vocals and adlibs?! Genius. Listen closely, because that is Mimi’s arena. Though a bit too chill to make a splash on the charts, “GTFO” was instantly memorable for its memes and quotable lyrics. The only thing it was missing was a club mix. The gay clubs were practically begging for it. Actually, if you’re reading, Mariah, it’s not even too late… we’ll still take it. Soaring vocals singing “get the fuck out” over a hip-hop house beat? Slay us eternally, Queen.

4. “Portrait”

It wouldn’t be a Mariah Carey without a song like “Portrait.” Written alongside her musical director Daniel Moore, the ballad is a heartbreakingly honest depiction of Mariah’s state of mind. She takes an introspective journey, bearing her soul because that is the true foundation of the bond she shares with her fans. With its piano driven melody and orchestral finale, “Portrait” provides a dramatic view “beyond the looking glass” into the life of music’s most successful female singer-songwriter. Ultimately, the message is that she is “down, but not demoralized,” and for anyone listening, to remind yourself, just as she does: “don’t let go,” because “the moment will subside.”

3. “A No No”

I almost wanted to place “Portrait” ahead of these next two songs because in my mind it should be, but Apple Music’s 2019 replay got me together, letting me know that “A No No” was my most played song of 2019. This doesn’t really come as a surprise, because its a fun, sassy, certifiable bop. Laced atop a sample of Lil’ Kim’s classic “Crush on You,” featuring the voice of the Notorious himself, what more could you ask for? (Aside from a remix with Lil’ Kim and Cardi B). “A No No” serves as yet another reminder that Mariah can still deliver a radio-friendly bop, and that her “MC the Emcee” pen is still on fire, because the lines she spit are something fierce. Honestly, she should be included in discussions of the best female emcees. Fight me on it.

2. “Caution”

Every single time this song plays, I feel butterflies through my entire body (no pun intended). Something about “Caution” just feels amazing. That Carribean-tinged guitar, that bass, and Mariah’s untouchable delivery of her expertly crafted lyrics and melody all come together to create one of the best songs she’s ever recorded. “Caution,” co-produced by the legendary No I.D., is indeed worthy of title track status. The production is simply stellar. The melody is infectious. The vocal fills your spirit. Most people expect introspective lyrics to be regulated to piano ballads like “Portrait,” but actually if you look deeper, “Caution” has some of the most introspective lines on the album. The album title is perfect, just like the song its taken from.

1. “Giving Me Life”

Finally, the best song on Caution is indisputably “Giving Me Life.” Mariah Carey and Dev Hynes is a winning combination, not to mention the addition of hip-hop legend Slick Rick. Where to begin with this phenomenal song? It’s unlike any song she’s ever recorded, yet at the same time is so Mariah. From the moment the track begins, it creates its own mood. The Eddie Murphy soundbites are so seemingly random yet indescribably perfect. The lyrics are so vivid, descriptive and intriguing. They engage the listener, transporting you into the world of this masterful track. Just when you think its over, the song morphs into a whole other mood with the extended outro featuring a guitar solo by Dev Hynes (aka Blood Orange), with Mariah serving riffs and adlibs atop his playing. More often than not, when I listen to “Giving Me Life,” I enter a zone; a place only music can take me to. Sometimes, when I am there, I remind myself that this is my favorite singer singing a song she wrote and produced twenty eight years into her career. There have been times this thought has filled me with such intense admiration and inspiration that it literally brings tears to my eyes. “Giving Me Life” does just that. It gives life to fans, and gives life to the argument for Mariah Carey’s legendary status. “Giving Me Life” is the perfect representation of the Caution album, and the Mariah Carey of today. A song fit for a legendary Queen, “and it’s everything.” 

Oh, and witnessing the only live performance of the song at her New York City stop of the Caution World Tour was an outer body experience. Watch:

Listen to Vincent’s Caution, Ranked playlist:

The post Mariah Carey’s ‘Caution,’ Ranked. appeared first on THE 97.

Mariah Carey has HAD IT, and she’s making it crystal clear before even one listen to her fifteenth studio album, aptly titled, Caution. Returning to a tradition of early albums, Caution clocks in at just 10 tracks, but what it lacks in length it makes up for in width. It’s, interestingly, one of the most cohesive bodies of work from Mariah Carey in recent memory despite the revolving door of collaborators throughout. The variety of collaborators speaks to Mariah Carey’s ability as an artist and executive producer, to unleash an album with so many collaborators that all fit together so well.

Lyrically, her pen is as sharp as ever and she has laced those words through some fantastic melodies. Her voice sounds confident yet comfortably in its sweet spot; her tone is as rich and warm as ever. For the most part, the vocals are a lot tamer than the usual Mariah album, allowing the listener to focus on the lyrics and vocal production which often get overlooked. An album as much for the Lambily as it is for the casual listener, Caution answers why the Queen of Christmas doesn’t just sit back and collect royalty checks every December: she still has so much more to give.

After having spent a week with the album, a few members of our staff (Mario, Reece, Andrew and Vincent) collaborated to walk you through each of the album’s tracks.

Without further ado, let’s proceed with Caution:

The Kick-Off

The album kicks off with an unconventional, post “Hotline Bling” production (from the same producer) that was certainly not an expectation for Mariah Carey in 2018. The moody and meme-able music video for “GTFO” made it clear that Mariah wasn’t the legacy pop act that some tried to write her off as. Yet this uncensored, sparse kiss-off is oh so Mariah. Over a decade after she was censoring “fuck” on “Clown,” she’s ready to be Mariah: Uncensored, to a point. “GTFO” was well suited as the opener for the album, and the era. Caution, indeed. Mariah did not come to play, and she is not having the games. Don’t like it? #GTFO.

Next is “With You,” the album’s incredibly understated first single. It gives off the perception of being another album cut at first listen, but melodically it is incredibly sticky. With an allusion to her classic “Breakdown” in tow, it’s a brilliant Mariah moment. From the casual use of “trepidation” to the self referential pre-chorus, “With You” is the Mariah ballad that 2018 didn’t know it needed. Only she can weave such complex lyrics together over such a beautiful melody.

Not to mention, not many artists can so effortlessly refer back to the wealth of their own self-penned catalogue to elevate the meaning of a lyric in the way that her “Breakdown” allusion does. Fittingly, the song has become a slow burning success at AC radio. Not only that, but it’s a raw and honest depiction of where she is in her love life.

The Title Track

One might assume that “Caution,” the album’s title track, would be a sassy showcase of braggadocio, but in fact it is an introspective, self-aware love song with an ominous ambiance. With a seductive yet haunting beat and pristine vocals, it immediately engages the listener. The song has clear tropical influences allowing it to sound current without overdoing it to sound trendy, a line Mariah has always been able to tread well.

Her buttery vocals effortlessly slide atop the slick and cutting No I.D. produced beat. Its chorus might just be the best on the album, it just sticks. “Caution” is fresh, yet reminiscent of late 90s and early 2000s R&B such as Brandy’s Never Say Never (1998) and Aaliyah’s self-titled final album (2001), which is also probably why it sounds like something Drake would cook up. Without any specific promotion, the song has managed to become one of the album’s most streamed tracks, speaking volumes to its sheer greatness.

Single-Worthy Bops

“A No No” is the BOP of the album that is only bound to be elevated to the next level if the rumors of a Cardi B + Lil’ Kim remix are true. The sample is perfect and timeless, Mariah’s lyrics are as genius as they are scathing and showcase that fun (and shady) side of her that everyone loves. Only Mariah can make an obviously pointed diss track sound as if it’s just another love song about an imaginary man. She’s not fooling us, though – she’s happily paired with Bryan. We know she’s dragging She-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. And is there anything more Mariah than her saying “no” in a few different languages during the song’s outro?

Mariah is in full romance mode on “The Distance,” tackling the naysayers who doubted her relationship with her lover, not dissimilar to how the media portrayed her current relationship with Bryan Tanaka. On the Skrillex production Mariah somehow manages to sound youthful yet mature, weaving current hip-hop sensibilities atop an 80s beat inspired beat. It almost sounds like something Solange would’ve put on her True EP.

The song achieves certified bop status with the help of a guest verse by Ty Dolla $ign who reiterates the loved up, us against the world vibe of the song, “we kissing in public, you like it I love it, You lit it I’m with it, we going the distance.” We love the honest yet relatable “in your face” lyrics about her and Bryan. The message is simple: they’re here to stay. “The Distance” proves that Mariah and her pen are here to stay, too. As per usual, she has crafted a beautiful pop song with a diverse cast of collaborators. It’s no surprise this one is shaping up to potentially be the next single.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fxY_mu4OtE

Life Received

Shout out to Jay-Z, head of Mariah’s new management home Roc Nation, for bringing Mariah and Dev Hynes together. The pairing was a surprise, but at the same time, is everything we didn’t know we needed. But we should have known. Just take a listen to Dev’s catalog as Blood Orange, or his work producing for Solange (a self-professed lamb) and you’d realize he is perfect for Queen. The aptly titled “Giving Me Life” does just that; issa mood.

Mariah is known for her impressive upper register and vocal acrobatics so it’s great to hear her use her lower register to create this haunting groove. It’s nearly seven minutes of blissful Mariah slow jam goodness. Some may hear a “The Roof” moment on this one, but it’s more like Lauryn Hill meets the early 2000s with the full drum and the electric guitar. Then of course, there’s the fact that it features hip-hop legend Slick Rick, which is great to hear after sampling “La Di Da” on The Elusive Chanteuse. “I mean, come on,” as Mariah would say. What more could we ask for?

Sex and Melancholy

“One Mo’ Gen” is like the raunchy sister of “Make It Look Good” with a splash of “Ribbon” in the production, which conjures up a feeling of a hip hop sample, yet it’s completely original. A slow-jam with frantic hi-hats in the background, #OMG is playful and seductive, yet edgy. In fact, it’s striking. “Did you like when I put my lips there?” should be on a shirt immediately. We love a nasty moment, and it’s been years since Mariah has been this suggestive in her lyrics. Not only are its lyrics sexy, but it just feels sexy, too. From the vocals to the production, she is really serving sex appeal – without it seeming forced at all.

Miss Eternally 12 takes us back to the year when she turned from 12 to… 12 again on “8th Grade.” A self-described melancholic moment about “falling in love” in your teenage years and wondering if it’s really true, “8th Grade” is uniquely Mariah. She rebukes the typical, hyperbolic exclamations of teenage love “I’m not your world, no, I’m not your life, tell me what that means to you.” Mariah, who “grew up too soon” was wise beyond her years even then. She even recants the fact that she began songwriting at that age, singing, “Maybe the lyrics are too heavy, in my song.” Simple minds, exit stage right.

There’s a little bit of “Candy Bling” mixed with the hard percussion of “One and Only” here. Timbaland’s production lays under Mariah’s voice impeccably. Most notably, the breakdown where Mariah reaches into her whistle register while Timbaland encourages her is a moment that recalls “Bliss” vocally and “Babydoll” musically.

More Bops

With its strange, grammatically confusing title, unique production, and feature from newcomer Gunna, “Stay Long Love You” definitely makes an impression. After the brief yet beautiful detour that is “8th Grade,” this playful bop has Mariah on the prowl again, telling her lover she wants to “uh uh, yeah.” Somewhat jarring at first, the Stereotypes produced track becomes infectious with its earworm of a hook that is sure to stick in your head. Reminiscent of the more experimental moments of the Mimi album, it feels simultaneously futuristic, nostalgic and current.

The Japanese version of Caution has a bonus track entitled “Runway,” that would have served as an excellent bridge between “Stay Long Love You” and the album closer to follow. This uplifting uptempo actually samples her own classic “Butterfly,” which Mariah explained came about because her collaborator Skrillex had a special connection to the song. The song is inspirational in nature, with an emanating essence of empowerment. After 28 years in the spotlight and several celebrations of being “Eternally 12,” the Songbird Supreme has canonized her experiences into a motivational anthem for all. “To fly,” she says, you’ve “gotta have no fear.”

The Closer

In the tradition of so many Mariah Carey albums, Caution ends with an incredibly raw and open ballad. “Portrait” doesn’t just visualize where Mariah Carey the person is in 2018, but also vocally defines her changing instrument. She pushes at a few moments, but there’s weathering and control unlike in previous songs like this. Its gorgeous, subdued melody grabs you and makes for the perfect album closer.

Compared to Mariah’s previous introspective moments, which are usually darker, “Portrait” is more hopeful in its message. The verses are very somber, but then the chorus alludes to looking at the future with a positive attitude despite retaining one’s secret sadness inside. In that sense, it’s like listening to “Petals” combined with the more inspirational “Rainbow Interlude” to help sort things out. After the last few years Mariah has had, it’s nice to see her in such a playful mood on Caution but also acknowledge that she is just human and she hurts too. 

Written with her new musical director and pianist Daniel Moore, “Portrait” proves that no matter who her writing partner is for her piano ballad moments, her unique signature sound will remain intact. However, with Moore it feels more genuine than it has ever been. It’s an endearing listen, and a welcome closer to a stellar album.

Quintessentially Mariah

Twenty eight years into her career, Mariah Carey has crafted an album that manages to seat itself amongst her best work. Caution is further proof that she is an undeniable musical genius. In the face of all the negativity that has surrounded her career in recent years, she arrived in a positive headspace, focused and ready to deliver this phenomenal album. Somehow, Caution manages to sound current yet still quintessentially Mariah; expert lyricism and background giggles included. She worked with an (almost) entirely new cast of producers, yet the output has her unmistakable stamp. True to form, the album is cohesive despite its diverse mix of collaborators, something that has always been essential to her greatest albums.

At this stage in her career, some may call Mariah Carey a “legacy” artist. Typically, that means an artist that is past their prime, struggles to sell albums, but sustains reliant upon the laurels of their back catalogue, legendary status, and lucrative tours. However, for Mariah, Caution cements her status as a “legacy” artist for a different reason. In this era, her team has managed to ensure she gets the respect she has deserved for so long. Caution has become her most critically-acclaimed album, ever.

Give Her What She Deserves

It’s true, Mariah Carey had never been a critical darling despite releasing such a profound body of work. For years, the fact that she is first and foremost a songwriter and producer had been overlooked. Mariah has written 17 #1 singles and plenty more hits, yet she has just five GRAMMY awards. Her often imitated, yet often denied impact on modern pop music by melding Hip-Hop, Pop and R&B into one had long gone overlooked. If you search for influential Hip-Hop artists, or Pop’s greatest songwriters, you’d be hard-pressed to find Mariah’s name. The list of injustices goes on and on, and for a while there was no end in sight.

Somehow, with Caution, it has all come to light. It’s almost as if the warning that we must heed with Caution is that Mariah Carey will no longer accept being underrated and disrespected; she has returned to claim the notoriety and respect that she had been denied for so long. She has done so by releasing an album that, despite whatever it ends up selling, will stand the test of time as one of her best albums because it is both timely and timeless. Mariah has long held a reputation of being fashionably late, in “Diva” fashion, but Caution proves she is just in time, and ever present.

Grade:

90/97

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