Caution

AlbumNov 16 / 201810 songs, 38m 31s
Contemporary R&B Pop
Popular Highly Rated

On her 15th studio album, and first in four years, Mariah Carey’s graceful R&B is punctuated by crisp hip-hop production, this time via Timbaland, DJ Mustard, and Drake’s frequent producer Nineteen85. Along with them are some of the most memorable hip-hop features in R&B: Ty Dolla $ign for the chant-led “The Distance” and Gunna on the upbeat, trap-influenced “Stay Long Love You.” When she’s on her own, she uses her spotlight to give a little female-empowerment sass on “GTFO” and “A No No.” But the real standout of the set may be the slinky, six-minute “Giving Me Life,” featuring Slick Rick and Blood Orange’s Dev Hynes. Mariah Carey largely set the template for the current era of hybrid hip-hop/R&B-pop, and *Caution* proves she’s still pushing the musical conversation forward.

7.5 / 10

On her 15th album, the R&B singer celebrates her ultimate-diva status by sticking to her core pop-soul aesthetic, despite collaborators like Poo Bear, Dev Hynes, and Skrillex.

The strong LP is highlighted by sassy love songs and a softer delivery.

Discover Caution by Mariah Carey released in 2018. Find album reviews, track lists, credits, awards and more at AllMusic.

8 / 10

It’s mid-November, therefore, it’s almost expected that the only Mariah Carey track you’ll be hearing is ‘All I Want For Christmas

Caution finds Mariah Carey fully and unapologetically embracing her contradictions.

75 %

At the start of 2017, the New York Times ran a piece wondering if Mariah Carey’s performance on ABC’s New Year special permanently damaged her career.

Album Reviews: Mariah Carey - Caution