• Record Label: Island
  • Release Date: Apr 15, 2008
User Score
5.8

Mixed or average reviews- based on 382 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Negative: 98 out of 382

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  1. Feb 18, 2021
    5
    So, yes, definitely this album is a breath of fresh air after Mariah's last projects, since it brings a bigger pop influence, making the album more pleasant to listen to, but it still has too many ordinary songs, that nothing add to the singer's discography. "I Stay In Love" is, without a shadow of a doubt, the highlight of the album.
  2. Nov 4, 2022
    6
    The Follow up to the hugely successful "Emancipation" Mariah finds a mellow R&B Groove and doesn't stray to far from the formula, although the Auto-Tune especially in a few of the opening tracks becomes an annoyance they are still at least perfectly calculated tracks to keep our interest.
  3. jack1222e
    Jun 3, 2008
    5
    TRUST ME ON THIS! I am a Mariah fan like u fools, but there is nothing new here. Everything is average at best, in fact its inferior to her last hit album. There are about 4-5 quality tracks. Touch my body was basically the best she had to offer and it was the only worthy song to sell her CD.
  4. NickL.
    Apr 16, 2008
    5
    Where's Slant's review?
  5. SecardinO.
    Apr 30, 2008
    4
    Mediocre album and no artistic ambition.
  6. AaronM
    Apr 16, 2008
    6
    This album deserves a 6.5. I think this album is mistitled. The title would have you believe it'd be as fun and free as "Emancipation of Mimi" and more! But on the contrary, it is more relaxed. It peaks when it is real and soulful, like I Stay in Love, I Wish You Well, and Love Story. And it falls flat on all pop songs except Touch My Body. It's not an emancipation album, but This album deserves a 6.5. I think this album is mistitled. The title would have you believe it'd be as fun and free as "Emancipation of Mimi" and more! But on the contrary, it is more relaxed. It peaks when it is real and soulful, like I Stay in Love, I Wish You Well, and Love Story. And it falls flat on all pop songs except Touch My Body. It's not an emancipation album, but it's still meaningful and promising. Expand
  7. PaulC
    Apr 15, 2008
    4
    Even though I don't listen to a ton of pop music, I thought 2005's "The Emancipation of Mimi" was a fantastic album, and it continues to get a lot of plays on my iPod. I was really hoping the follow-up would be as good, but it is a complete failure. This is just a collection of mildly acceptable pop songs. None of the tracks really stick out. All in all, it's quite a Even though I don't listen to a ton of pop music, I thought 2005's "The Emancipation of Mimi" was a fantastic album, and it continues to get a lot of plays on my iPod. I was really hoping the follow-up would be as good, but it is a complete failure. This is just a collection of mildly acceptable pop songs. None of the tracks really stick out. All in all, it's quite a disappointment. Expand
  8. TonyV.
    Apr 18, 2008
    6
    It's an alright album, there's a couple of good songs on there like "O.O.C." and "I'm That Chick". The album was disappointing in a way since her last album was so much better than this one. I think Mariah has lost it over the year, she's not that great anymore.
  9. AjayD.
    Apr 24, 2008
    4
    What a heart breaker. Boring music right here folks...run on the mill. I give it 4, because thats all the good songs on it.
Metascore
64

Generally favorable reviews - based on 19 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 19
  2. Negative: 1 out of 19
  1. Nov 19, 2018
    75
    It's skillful and winsome enough that the other hits it spins off will stay pleasant, if not revelatory.
  2. The result is a largely enjoyable mix of flirtatious club jams, midtempo love songs, and emotional ballads anchored by hip hop beats that hansomely showcase the singer's powerful vocal range. [18 Apr 2008, p.63]
  3. The production is glossed to within an inch of its life, the mood is cheerfully upbeat--or 'festive' as Carey might put it herself--and the entire confection rings out with bold, sassy, brutally executed intent.