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

Review this album

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. TalimicusN
    Apr 13, 2005
    6
    The album in my opinion is "sub-standard" Mariah gets the points for trying, but haven't we heard this before!
  2. lukeparkes26
    Jul 16, 2016
    6
    Mariah Carey showcases stronger vocals in "The Emancipation of Mimi." Highlights are "We Belong Together," "It's Like That," "Shake It Off," "Mine Again," and "Circle," though I didn't really enjoy the rest of the album.
  3. VidyaB
    Dec 8, 2005
    5
    Topping the billboard charts again for the forth time this week with her brand new album the Emancipation of Mimi. Mariah Carey is back and now better than ever. It was once believed that she had left the music business because of the lengthy gap between her last albums. However, with her exceptional voice and soothing high pitches brought her back and allowed her to create "We Belong Topping the billboard charts again for the forth time this week with her brand new album the Emancipation of Mimi. Mariah Carey is back and now better than ever. It was once believed that she had left the music business because of the lengthy gap between her last albums. However, with her exceptional voice and soothing high pitches brought her back and allowed her to create "We Belong Together" and "Shake It Off", both of which have hit number one on the charts. I rate it five stars.… Expand
  4. alexA
    Apr 14, 2005
    5
    man alive, i wish one of these truly gifted artists (and she is gifted, obviously...she has an amazing voice and has always been involved in the writing) would take some chances w/their sound and explore some new territory. the title made me look forward to her breaking new ground...she hasn't. try something wild next time Mariah. you have the talent to back it.
  5. Matt
    Jun 9, 2005
    5
    Better than Charmbracelet, and her vocals sound good, but a bit too safe hip/hop and R&B. I prefer the pop perfection of "Hero" and "Vision Of Love."
  6. JamesL
    Mar 11, 2007
    5
    Im giving this album a 5 in the hope that Mariah Carey's next album brings something different to the table. I thought this album had some nice, solid songs on it such as We Belong Together, Fly Like A Bird, and Don't Forget About Us... but the album as a whole failed to blow me away. Buy her debut, Emotions, Music Box, Daydream, or Butterfly, No.1's instead, they are her Im giving this album a 5 in the hope that Mariah Carey's next album brings something different to the table. I thought this album had some nice, solid songs on it such as We Belong Together, Fly Like A Bird, and Don't Forget About Us... but the album as a whole failed to blow me away. Buy her debut, Emotions, Music Box, Daydream, or Butterfly, No.1's instead, they are her only artistically creative albums.… Expand
  7. DwightV
    Apr 17, 2005
    5
    This is better than her last few albums "Rainbow", "Charmbracelet" and "Glitter" but Mariah can still do better ("Butterfly"). This album is a bit more urban. It's predictable and bland. She's not separating herself from the other r&b 'n' hip-hop girls.
  8. raviopatra
    Nov 17, 2013
    5
    I have never really been impressed by Carey, but her songs are indeed enjoyable to listen to. I believe her success has more to do with lack of competition rather than pure talent. And this albums proves it. It's good, but not as special as anyone would've expected from the so-called diva. If some random female singer records this whole album instead of her, it wouldn't have achievedI have never really been impressed by Carey, but her songs are indeed enjoyable to listen to. I believe her success has more to do with lack of competition rather than pure talent. And this albums proves it. It's good, but not as special as anyone would've expected from the so-called diva. If some random female singer records this whole album instead of her, it wouldn't have achieved success as she did because people are so easily influenced by what Billboard and other magazines and popular critics are saying. In short, this album is a complete mediocre.… Expand
  9. ryanloveslana
    May 15, 2015
    5
    An big musical and vocal improvement over "Charmbracelet" (2003). The album has great bops like "It's Like That", "We Belong Together", "Shake It Off", "Joy Ride", and "Don't Forget About Us". Overall,''Mimi" is not her best album or a bad album.
  10. PEDROMFR
    Feb 18, 2021
    5
    "We Belong Together" and "Say Somethin'" really give some life to this album that, once again, gets lost in its generic R&B beats and typical lyrics. It's like, all of a sudden, Mariah only decided to deliver mid-tempo songs, lacking emotion and power as she had in her early years, until Butterfly.
  11. jimmyjimoneb
    Jun 9, 2005
    4
    yeah... mariah is back in form with all the hot producers of the moment... but that's not enough for mimi to be a good album! boring and conventional...
  12. danc
    Aug 27, 2005
    4
    first two tracks great rest boring boring boring all sounds the same some really weak tracks
  13. Balb
    Aug 14, 2006
    4
    4 votes for the number of nice songs on it, meaning only 4 songs worth listening
  14. AK.
    Dec 11, 2005
    4
    Listen to "Illinois" by Sufjan Stevens. He got NO Grammy nominations, yet he has the highest rated CD OF THE YEAR, not only by critics, but listeners as well. The reason Mariah Carey is even being nominated for Grammies for this record is because she's MARIAH CAREY. ooooooo. And even with the benefit she gets from previous success, this cd still only got a 61% on average. This CD Listen to "Illinois" by Sufjan Stevens. He got NO Grammy nominations, yet he has the highest rated CD OF THE YEAR, not only by critics, but listeners as well. The reason Mariah Carey is even being nominated for Grammies for this record is because she's MARIAH CAREY. ooooooo. And even with the benefit she gets from previous success, this cd still only got a 61% on average. This CD showed no evolution musically from her other records. Maybe the lyrics had a little more meaning behind them, but without anything catchy or interesting, what's the point of listening? She doesn't deserve Grammy nominations for something as subpar as this.… Expand

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 »