The Emancipation Of Mimi
by Mariah Carey
  • Record Label: Island
  • Release Date: Apr 12, 2005
User Score
6.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 568 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 368 out of 568
  2. Mixed: 85 out of 568
  3. Negative: 115 out of 568

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  1. AnalyDewa
    Aug 6, 2012
    10
    The return of a great singer the mainstream! Highlight for'' We Belong Together'' and beautiful gospel song ''Fly Like A Bird.''
  2. Haandy
    Feb 12, 2022
    10
    O melhor retorno de todos, ouço sem pular uma faixa de tão lendário que é
  3. Izanglez
    Jun 12, 2020
    7
    Mariah's 2005 album is such a strong comeback. However, it lacks something, and it is originality. It has incredible songs and vocally demanding masterpieces, which are "We Belong Together", "Circles" and "Mine Again". She included some cute bops but also delivered forgettable and mediocre songs, with unnecessary features. Overall, a good (but could've been much better) project.
  4. georgianaeliza
    Jan 6, 2023
    10
    Muito bom o álbum, uma obra muito lírica, muito coeso, no lirismo muito suave, um tom suave das melodias, muito bom a volta da Mariah Carey.
  5. Lenis
    Mar 14, 2015
    9
    The album's title is taken off the lead single lyrics 'It's a special occasion, Mimi's emancipation, A cause for celebration I am not going to let nobody's drama bother me' I love Mimi's formula and with this album she came back to the throne after such 2 bad albums, the mix of club tunes + R&B classics is - mostly - cool, focused and direct. The return of the singer with strong vocals,The album's title is taken off the lead single lyrics 'It's a special occasion, Mimi's emancipation, A cause for celebration I am not going to let nobody's drama bother me' I love Mimi's formula and with this album she came back to the throne after such 2 bad albums, the mix of club tunes + R&B classics is - mostly - cool, focused and direct. The return of the singer with strong vocals, brilliant gospel shot, 0 fillers, the limelight went back straight to Mariah after releasing such powerful singles with potential. 1 of her best albums and the highlight of the 05's. The album starts with the lead single "It's Like That", produced by Jermaine Dupri (the production is the right key to the albums success along with Mimi's voice), with the line 'I came to have a party'. Mariah would definitely party-it-up with her comeback album, returning to her golden pedestal of the nineties. The bridge, which victorious claims 'Cuz it's my night No stress, no fights I'm leavin it all behind No tears, no time to cry Just makin the most of life' refers to the previous albums that ruined Mariah's non-stop success. Continues with the 2nd single (the highlight of the album and Mariah's 2nd most successful single) the 3rd song was meant to be Mariah's 17th number #1 but was actually blocked by the previous single and peaked at #2 the chorus claims 'I got to shake it off - because the loving is not the same, And you keep on playing games like you know I'm here to stay' but fortunately the last song of the album and most lowkey no - single potential… Expand
  6. vinidornellas
    May 29, 2023
    10
    Biggest and best R&B album of the 21st century. Quality, concept, cohesion, acclaim and success.
  7. piscesloverboy
    Jun 20, 2019
    10
    Amazing album, she gave the R&B of the time her own sound, creating a totally new class of r&b that shaped music for those few years past 2005
  8. italoverdade
    Nov 10, 2015
    10
    certainly is the masterpiece of 00s the best album of this epoch as well as innovative sold millions and loved by the general public only Thursday magazines like Rolling Stone and company that always give low marks to her suspect it.
  9. ElasticDion
    Nov 16, 2019
    10
    Amazing vocals and lyric. By far her best album and a comeback so epic the world will never forget
  10. idontknowher
    Dec 22, 2016
    10
    ¡De los mejores álbumes de Mariah! sin duda Carey volvió a sus raíces y trajo de vuelta el R&B/hip-hop puro que solíamos escuchar en sus inicios. Es un disco bastante diferente a "Charmbracelet", creo que es más sincero para nada flojo. Tiene canciones muuuuuuuy buenas como "Mine Again", "Stay The Night", "I Wish You Knew" y "Fly Like a Bird", todo el álbum en general es EXCELENTE y los¡De los mejores álbumes de Mariah! sin duda Carey volvió a sus raíces y trajo de vuelta el R&B/hip-hop puro que solíamos escuchar en sus inicios. Es un disco bastante diferente a "Charmbracelet", creo que es más sincero para nada flojo. Tiene canciones muuuuuuuy buenas como "Mine Again", "Stay The Night", "I Wish You Knew" y "Fly Like a Bird", todo el álbum en general es EXCELENTE y los bonus track como "Sprung" y "Secret Love" debieron estar en la versión standard porque son muy buenos. Mariah nos entregó una joya sin duda vale mucho la pena escucharlo.… Expand
  11. sanyrub
    Apr 22, 2014
    9
    Mariah Carey´s best album in the 00s decade. It is full of short, brilliant and to the point R&B and hip hop tracks, with a little bit of pop and also gospel. It was another important change of direction in Carey´s career. Her voice sounds almost inhuman. The woman sings in a way nobody else could replicate. She has the unique style many others have tried to copy. So different from herMariah Carey´s best album in the 00s decade. It is full of short, brilliant and to the point R&B and hip hop tracks, with a little bit of pop and also gospel. It was another important change of direction in Carey´s career. Her voice sounds almost inhuman. The woman sings in a way nobody else could replicate. She has the unique style many others have tried to copy. So different from her 90´s voice, now it is more divalicious and extremely sexy, but equally outstanding. Almost perfect album.… Expand
  12. Bionica19
    Jan 10, 2020
    10
    Y'all really thought you'll never see her rise again and guess what, Mariah be like "I'm back darlings and I'm here to slay and serve you quality and success
  13. samueell
    Mar 22, 2021
    9
    This album sounds so fresh, and the lapse of time from Charmbracelet to its release really helped Carey to experiment new sounds, incorporating elements from the urban panorama, and that made this record sound fresh and not dated, you can hear this one in 2021 and it will sound good.
    Highlights: We Belong Together · Fly like a Bird · Say Somethin' · Circles · Secret Love
  14. grotesquette
    Apr 12, 2020
    8
    Although some tracks feel like fillers, overall it's a really enjoyable album. I think this album was definitely needed in Mariah's career, and I'm so glad that it happened. I love the whole theme of this album and what she was going for. It remains one of the greatest comebacks, if not the greatest comeback of all time.
  15. MosesQueen
    Aug 11, 2018
    10
    The Emancipation of Mimi is the greatest come-back of all time I think... Every song is just magical and pure genius, you can listen it again and again. Can we talk about success of this album? I don't know any stars who could do it after 5 years of flop. Mariah is so powerful and she proves it in Mimi era.
  16. LestrangeLeo
    Nov 28, 2022
    10
    bjs skv ia sobwob. sosn. ns nos oo o n o n n Op o. oo. h o o o h h b hbbnbb
  17. mjscl15
    Jan 6, 2016
    9
    Um álbum bom. Não sei pq ela é tão massacrada pela crítica. A música "we belong together" é umas das melhores dela, um marco na história do pop. Mariah explora batidas de hip hop mas usa sua voz magistralmente.
  18. KarenCarey
    May 24, 2016
    10
    Álbum incrível a nível de Mariah Carey, cada música percebemos que foram muito bem trabalhadas, os vocais estão a nível luxo, um álbum digno de uma lenda do R&B como MARIAH, o melhor retorno da música sem sombra de dúvidas!!!
  19. ixaac
    Sep 14, 2019
    10
    The voice is back? the voice had never left, once again Mariah proved herself to be the standard of vocal and song writing artistry. There genuinely will never be someone as talented in contemporary pop as Mariah Carey.
  20. KatyPerryIsOver
    Nov 25, 2021
    10
    Mariah's best album of this century and it will hardly be tied. Ended Confessions on a Plagiarism floor.
  21. kbyrd2
    Jul 1, 2013
    10
    The best album I've ever heard. The best comeback by one of the greatest vocalists of all time. You can never count talent out. Everyone thought Mariah was done, & she proved them wrong. That's a living legend.
  22. ailtonsribeiro
    Nov 16, 2018
    10
    Esse álbum é um diamante, Ninguém compõe melodias iguais a da Mariah. Por isso ela é a número um. Merecia muito mais prêmios, mas tudo bem, o mundo da música nem sempre premia quem sabe cantar. Muitas vezes premia quem dança mais ou quem engana mais.
  23. davidmikai
    Mar 29, 2019
    10
    Definitely one of the best R&B album of all time. No filler and all worth-listening songs. Vocal on point and it's going to make haters ashamed of their favs.
  24. MaxFarell
    Aug 22, 2021
    10
    “I was in a happy place.” Considered as one of the Greatest Comebacks of all Time, Carey’s 10th studio album showcases her power vocals and party starter grooves which cemented her as a master of her craft.
  25. Skyblue93
    Jan 30, 2012
    10
    An amazing R&B retro 70s through back album!!! Every single song is literally perfect. Her vocals are very through especially on Mine Again which she really show case it.
  26. Agshin_KNG
    Jun 19, 2019
    10
    By far one of the best come-back albums in music history. No wonder it was such a success and had a massive impact. Carey outdid herself with this and cemented her status forever!
  27. araucaceas
    Jul 22, 2019
    10
    Perfect come back to a truly legend! We belong Together the best song of the decade by billboard Go get them Mimi, you got this!
  28. MariahCareystan
    Aug 23, 2019
    10
    One of Mariah’s best albums So meaningful and a great comeback album, if there’s one person i say artist should look up to i say it should be Mariah, SHES very talent, one of the best singers to date and a great lyricist.
  29. Chris746
    Jul 25, 2020
    10
    The Album Artwork is as intense as her Album Title. Although she was not heard from her Charmbracelet era, she came back with full power. With her 14 tracks, she gives justice to these songs that she was not left behind. Her vocal are nearly perfect for these tracks provided. From intro for party-themed song, “It’s Like That” to final song for church “ Fly Like A Bird. ImpeccablyThe Album Artwork is as intense as her Album Title. Although she was not heard from her Charmbracelet era, she came back with full power. With her 14 tracks, she gives justice to these songs that she was not left behind. Her vocal are nearly perfect for these tracks provided. From intro for party-themed song, “It’s Like That” to final song for church “ Fly Like A Bird. Impeccably outstanding album!… Expand
  30. keriw
    Jun 7, 2005
    8
    mariah is back
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Awards & Rankings

10
#10 Most Discussed Album of 2005
10
#10 Most Shared Album of 2005

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
64

Generally favorable reviews - based on 16 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 16
  3. Negative: 1 out of 16
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    75
    Heavy on ballads and midtempo love songs, it always keeps at least one foot (more often both feet) planted firmly in comforting old-school diva soul. [15 Apr 2005, p.76]
  2. Rolling Stone
    50
    There aren't any great songs among Mimi's club tunes and pop-chart-conscious tracks, and Carey is still suffering from a serious crisis of confidence.
    Read full review
  3. The Guardian
    80
    Despite its grim title with its visions of messy self-absorption, The Emancipation of Mimi is - mostly - cool, focused and urban.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »