American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey released her 16th studio album, Here For It All, Sept. 26. This 11-track album demonstrated Carey’s reflection on her past work and self-worth as an artist, along with her drive to build on her legacy. Throughout the album, Carey features her iconic whistle notes combined with 90s-influenced R&B, although this album should have stopped at a single, considering its continuous repetition in meaning, beat, and style.
Carey’s singing career began at an early age, as her mother was a voice coach and opera singer. At 15, Carey started working closely with Gavin Christopher, an aspiring producer, before moving to New York City. In 1990, four of her songs hit number one on the charts, becoming one of the first artists to have all four of their singles hit number one, including “Vision of Love” and “I Don’t Wanna Cry.” Both of these songs had the same dramatic ballad sound that best frames her vocals, elevating the quality of the songs.
The opening track “Mi” is about her self-worth and success as an artist, “I don’t care about much if it ain’t about Mi.” This R&B beat is layered with background vocals of gospel inflections and water dripping. In this track, Carey experiments with new slang in her lyrics, “I’m the D-I-V-A, that’s MC,” and “Hottie body, yeah that’s tea,” giving it a forced and almost cringy feel.
“Type Dangerous,” the third track, starts with a ’90s beat mimicking a DJ, which she later layers with drums. The song’s production gave it an upbeat flow, standing out against the rest of the album. This track is about Carey’s type and questions she finds herself answering while dating around: “I like ‘em dangerous,” Carey sings. “Computer boy toy, he was fun for a while.”
The album’s seventh track, “Confetti & Champagne,” has a catchy chorus supported by an electric R&B sound. This track showcases Carey’s ability to acknowledge her accomplishments and reflect on her past and growth, “Boy, ain’t nothing changed,” Carey sings. “Look at me now.” Although this song’s lyrics and style are repetitive, the dreamy chorus flow and light, hypnotic sound make up for it.
“I Won’t Allow It,” the album’s eighth track, strays from the main theme of the album, focusing more on betrayal. “Wanted the fame, used my name,” Carey sings, expressing the disrespect she has faced and how she responded, “I won’t entertain all your narcissistic ways.” Although the new lyrical meaning was refreshing, “I Won’t Allow It” has the same repetitive pop R&B sound as the rest of the album, seeming more and more like an album thrown together for a money grab, rather than a well-thought-out and cohesive project.
The album’s closing track, “Here For It All,” features the most whistle notes and soft sounds compared to the rest of the album, creating the same gospel inflections as the first track, “Mi.” The lyrics were the perfect closing statement, expressing how, no matter the conditions, Carey was in the music industry for it all, “And baby I’m here for it all. Here for the glory, the shakes, and withdraws.”
Here For It All follows the same theme Carey always approaches: her love interests, career, and hope for the future. Carey’s powerful vocals somewhat make up for the fact that this album lacks variety in sound, genre, and meaning. While not her boldest release because each song was practically the same, her unbelievable vocal range, which never fails to remind fans why she’s made it so far in the industry, earns Carey’s album three out of five feathers.
