Me. I Am Mariah... The Elusive Chanteuse
by Mariah Carey
  • Record Label: Def Jam
  • Release Date: May 27, 2014
Metascore
67

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
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  1. NOW Magazine
    May 29, 2014
    80
    Carey’s back to adding her sparkly touch to summer-ready pop tunes.
  2. New York Daily News (Jim Faber)
    May 20, 2014
    80
    Contrary to its title, the new album may be Carey's least elusive work. Rarely has she made her talent more clear.
  3. Pitchfork
    Jun 16, 2014
    77
    The album sounds exactly, defiantly like Mariah, acknowledging her place in the pop ecosystem both implicitly and explicitly without chomping at the bit.
  5. Billboard.com
    May 23, 2014
    77
    The usual, more or less. Musically, it’s her typical mix of pop-classicist balladry and hip-hop-tinged summer jamming, and if Carey doesn't exactly go strutting into new territory, it’s because she knows most people like her right where she is.
  6. Entertainment Weekly
    May 20, 2014
    75
    Working with longtime collaborator Jermaine Dupri, Carey front-loads the track list with midtempo R&B and soulful torch songs that spotlight her best asset: That Voice.
  7. AllMusic
    May 27, 2014
    70
    Carey unfortunately doesn't feel nostalgic for the succinctness of her early albums, but this shows that she's still capable of delivering 40 minutes of strong, supremely voiced R&B when she's up for it.
  8. Los Angeles Times
    May 27, 2014
    63
    This record really is enjoyably elusive.

Awards & Rankings

15
#15 Most Discussed Album of 2014
33
#33 Most Shared Album of 2014

User Reviews

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User Score
5.6

Mixed or average reviews- based on 447 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 228 out of 447
  2. Mixed: 93 out of 447
  3. Negative: 126 out of 447
  1. jim72182
    May 27, 2014
    10
    Back in true form! Mariah is singing like she has not sung since "Butterfly" This album is very reminiscent of that album and I am so excitedBack in true form! Mariah is singing like she has not sung since "Butterfly" This album is very reminiscent of that album and I am so excited to listen to this album over and over.

    Stand Out Tracks: Meteorite, Thirsty    … Full Review »
  2. drderu
    May 27, 2014
    9
    Nostalgia plays a huge theme in Mariah Carey’s 14th studio album Me. I Am Mariah.. The Elusive Chanteuse. Conclusively, an album thatNostalgia plays a huge theme in Mariah Carey’s 14th studio album Me. I Am Mariah.. The Elusive Chanteuse. Conclusively, an album that perfectly embodies her musicality and artistry that doesn’t feel slightly trendy yet aptly timeless. When the pop landscape has been nothing but fickle and unforgiving, Mariah finally let go of chasing the trend and fully realized how musically she’s trailblazed and paved the way for a lot of what the genre has become and even inspired the female front runners of this current era.
    Starting the album with a ballad that seemingly would fit right from her debut album back in 1990; ‘Cry.’ sets the mood and the trip to nostalgia carry on for the next several tracks: ‘Faded’, ‘Supernatural’ & ‘Dedicated’ are midtempo jams that could’ve find its way in her more current releases- E=MC2 or Memoirs Of An Imperfect Angel. In addition, anyone who is familiar with her more complex work would be glad to find a piece of ‘Butterfly’ in the 90’s house-inspired ‘Meteorite’. And staying true to its theme, the Stevie Wonder surprise cameo ‘Make It Look Good’, we find Mariah relentlessly reminding us that no one can beat her in her own game.
    Whether trying to subtly reference her previous work or not, Chanteuse perfectly and meticulously fuses the classic and the current effortlessly. Taking a hint from last years’ #Beautiful, throwback summer anthem has never been guilt-free in ‘You Don’t Know What To Do’. And predictably, a Mariah Carey album won’t be complete without a classic cover but this time she ante up several notches above with a George Michael classic ‘One More Try’ where her vocal pyrotechnics are on full display. Moreover, the main highlight of Chanteuse is where Carey gets to shine both vocally and lyrically, in tracks like ‘Camouflage’ and ‘Heavenly’, she’s no longer taking the punches and instead, comes undone that both feels hauntingly beautiful and inspiring all at the same time. Me. I Am Mariah might have signaled some serious signs of narcissism but in all actuality, it’s just a body of work of a superstar who has confidently fully realized her place in pop music history, where only a few gets to pioneer and revolutionize.    … Full Review »
  3. HonestMuusic
    Nov 4, 2022
    5
    After being promoted to the JLo spot on American Idol Mariah arrives with an album that sounds 3 years too late, its dated even by 2014's R&BAfter being promoted to the JLo spot on American Idol Mariah arrives with an album that sounds 3 years too late, its dated even by 2014's R&B standards, she even attempts a dance record "Meteorite" which is quite frankly one of the worst songs she's recorded. The singles and a couple other gems "Thirsty" and "Dedicated" are more E=MC2 and should have been where the album went rather then more boring ballads.… Full Review »
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