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Me. I Am Mariah... The Elusive Chanteuse Image
Metascore
67

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
5.6

Mixed or average reviews- based on 447 Ratings

  • Summary: The first original studio release in five years for the R&B/pop singer features guest appearances from Fabolous, Miguel, Nas, Wale, and her twins.
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Top Track

Betcha Gon' Know
Welcome to a day of my life (a day of my life) The Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel Welcome, Welcome, Welcome, to a day of my life The Memoirs Of An... See the rest of the song lyrics
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 15
  2. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. May 29, 2014
    80
    Carey’s back to adding her sparkly touch to summer-ready pop tunes.
  2. Contrary to its title, the new album may be Carey's least elusive work. Rarely has she made her talent more clear.
  3. 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.
  4. May 27, 2014
    60
    What is unfortunately not elusive on the album are a clutch of interchangeable slow-to-midtempo tunes long on pulsating atmosphere--several with distractingly fidgety rhythmic tracks--but short on melody or verve.
  5. Jul 7, 2014
    60
    She’s just a comfortable [singer], and that’s a good thing for her. She doesn’t need to be, nor should she ever be elusive. This album proves that in spades.
  6. Jun 2, 2014
    60
    On Mariah Carey's 14th studio album, stylistic cohesion is as elusive as the chanteuse herself.
  7. 42
    She needs great material and she needs star power. But this album doesn’t have great songs, and the only thing that’s changed shape more than an R&B hit in recent years is the definition of star power.

See all 15 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 58 out of 70
  2. Negative: 4 out of 70
  1. 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
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  2. GSF
    Mar 4, 2015
    10
    I think it's pretty obvious at this point Mariah's vocals are severely damaged. She can't even attempt to hit the vocal highs of her 90'sI think it's pretty obvious at this point Mariah's vocals are severely damaged. She can't even attempt to hit the vocal highs of her 90's self, but that's quite alright when the material itself is this good. "The Elusive Chanteuse" plays as a trip down memory lane; a nostalgic keepsake, from the disco-tinged "You Don't Know What to Do" to the ode to old school hip hip "Dedicated" to the throwback R&B/soul "#Beautiful" (ugh,why #? why?#?#).
    Certain #missteps aside, this is by far Mariah's best offering since "The Emancipation of Mimi" 10 years ago
    Expand
  3. Aug 21, 2018
    10
    Um álbum pessoal de uma artista de verdade, que além de cantar também participa de todo o processo de criação, desde a letra até a produção.Um álbum pessoal de uma artista de verdade, que além de cantar também participa de todo o processo de criação, desde a letra até a produção. Mostrando que apesar do tempo continua muito boa com o que faz, sendo original e ao mesmo tempo não perdendo a sua essência. Expand
  4. Ruy
    Jun 15, 2014
    10
    This is Mariah's best effort since Butterfly. I think this album has more feeling than TEOM, it's deeper and more personal, the lyrics areThis is Mariah's best effort since Butterfly. I think this album has more feeling than TEOM, it's deeper and more personal, the lyrics are more mature and intelligent. This album can be classified as one of the masterpieces such as Daydream, Butterfly and The Emancipation Of Mimi. My personal favorite songs are Make It Look Good, You Don't Know What To Do, Cry, Camouflage, #Beautiful, Meteorite, The Art Of Letting Go, Dedicated and Faded (basically the whole album lol). All of these songs have such amazing lyrics and melodies, Mariah and the producers really did a fine job, most of them are feel good tracks that everybody can relate to and enjoy. Expand
  5. May 30, 2020
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. A lenda Carey nos apresenta um show de eficiência vocal numa compilação de canções totalmente entregues. Não é 100% do que estamos esperando mas é essencialmente o que precisamos em alguns momentos Expand
  6. Dec 13, 2022
    8
    This is top 5 albums of her career yall arent ready for this conversation
    Like what’s not to like??!
  7. Nov 16, 2019
    0
    Most songs sound exaclty the same. She keeps relesing the exact same boring album over and over again

See all 70 User Reviews

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