Caution
by Mariah Carey
  • Record Label: RCA
  • Release Date: Nov 16, 2018
Metascore
82

Universal acclaim - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
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  1. musicOMH.com
    Nov 20, 2018
    100
    A neat album of only 10 tracks. We find her in life-admin mode, clearing out any dispensable trash that she no longer has time or the inclination for. ... Sublime.
  2. Entertainment Weekly
    Nov 16, 2018
    83
    On her 15th studio album, the breezy, pleasingly defiant Caution, she finds a freshness that’s been missing from her recent material.
  3. Spin
    Nov 20, 2018
    80
    On Caution, she is still doing it better than most of her students, and sounds more comfortable than she has in quite a while.
  5. Rolling Stone
    Nov 16, 2018
    80
    An honest album, full of truths and delivered as only she can.
  6. AllMusic
    Nov 16, 2018
    80
    No songs are highly energized, but Carey sounds like she's deriving joy from each one.
  7. Clash Music
    Nov 16, 2018
    80
    With tracks produced by Timbaland, Skrillex and DJ Mustard, Carey duly pays homage to the sounds prevalent at different stages of her career whilst remaining fresh and contemporary.
  8. Pitchfork
    Nov 26, 2018
    75
    She’ll employ 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.
  9. Slant Magazine
    Nov 15, 2018
    70
    Caution feels like the album Mariah has wanted to make all along: one that literally throws caution to the wind and sees her embracing her inner weirdo. And, ironically, it took her ending up back at Sony Music to do it.
  10. Consequence
    Nov 26, 2018
    67
    Previously, Mariah Carey has made it clear that she’s been through too much to care what anyone else thinks, shrugging off critics and denying all drama. On Caution, Carey has channeled that energy into the music itself.

Awards & Rankings

11
#11 Most Discussed Album of 2018
46
#46 Most Shared Album of 2018

User Reviews

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User Score
7.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 705 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 496 out of 705
  2. Mixed: 67 out of 705
  3. Negative: 142 out of 705
  1. ChristianLamb
    Nov 16, 2018
    10
    This album proves that she really has everything to be called a legend.
    She really showed that she is the best songwriter, i love the lyrics,    This album proves that she really has everything to be called a legend.
    She really showed that she is the best songwriter, i love the lyrics, the production.
    NO SKIP!!!
    Her best album since The Emancipation Of Mimi.
    SHE IS AMAZING!!!    … Full Review »
  2. focuscabello
    Nov 16, 2018
    10
    Her best album since The Emancipation Of Mimi. short but amazing. Mariah did THAT
  3. shinycrapyboy
    Nov 16, 2018
    8
    Not a fan at all but I have been listening to every single LP that came out. She´s definitely a visible and unavoidable artist in the POP/Not a fan at all but I have been listening to every single LP that came out. She´s definitely a visible and unavoidable artist in the POP/ R´n´B scene whether you like her music or not. If someone tells you that he/she does not know who Mariah Carey is, He/she´s obviously lying! This record is, contrary to all the stuff she put out lately, a sober but relevant piece of work thanks to the production which, without flirting with the exuberance of alt /nu R´n´B, brings some singular elements. It´s still mainstream and baked for wide audience but Mariah seems more focused in bringing effortless subtle, discreet and smooth vocals in order to put the music in the forefront, giving us the opportunity to catch on details. Listening to old tracks, I often had the feeling that her voice was always overhanging the instrumentals. I believe that for many fans, it was mostly the appeal in listening her music. They were, are still searching for that Diva touch through sugary romantic ballads & vocal techniques more than being surprised in the election of a new and daring artistic direction. I do believe that she took that step forward and the result is really fresh and surprising. Only 9 energetic tracks, each one quite effective and the strategic choice in putting the only ballad, her typical trademark, at the end of the track list keeping alive the groovy flow from track to track and giving the wrong impression that the album is short. I still believe that if you feel this way, when the music stops, it means that the LP is cohesive, strong and relevant.… Full Review »
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