Caution
by Mariah Carey
  • Record Label: RCA
  • Release Date: Nov 16, 2018
User Score
7.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 705 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 496 out of 705
  2. Mixed: 67 out of 705
  3. Negative: 142 out of 705
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  1. AX3L022
    Apr 21, 2020
    10
    Caution is like a replica of Mariah's more mature Butterfly. You can clearly see the production that adjusts to the current sounds of R&B, but the way it feels very different from any hits; vocally more minimalist compared to other of his works. With 10 well-placed tracks Caution is a beat of rhythms and lyrics, starting with GFTO a song that brings back the falseto in predominance in theCaution is like a replica of Mariah's more mature Butterfly. You can clearly see the production that adjusts to the current sounds of R&B, but the way it feels very different from any hits; vocally more minimalist compared to other of his works. With 10 well-placed tracks Caution is a beat of rhythms and lyrics, starting with GFTO a song that brings back the falseto in predominance in the song without being annoying at any time, With You a beautiful romantic ballad with a spectacular closure, songs like Caution and Stay Long Love You that bring out the diva's sensuality and lightness, The Distance a song that is a youthful and mischievous bop: and greats like 8th Grade and Giving Me Life; two melancholic songs in which the production is the most remarkable, in especail of Giving Me Life with his lyrics about his old loves and with a final explosion that makes use of guitar chords and a spectral voice of Mimi. Caution with the grandeur of Caution.… Expand
  2. Kakogouveia
    Jun 10, 2019
    10
    Ótimo álbum. Do sendo uma das maiores estrelas da história da música poderia entregar um trabalho tão impecável como esse. Fico lisonjeado por ouvir e presenciar tamanho talento na terra. Obrigado por tudo.
  3. zangarini
    Nov 18, 2018
    10
    Great Work, Mariah Carey! Mariah was able to make a current album without losing its essence. It is admirable the cohesion of this album, which can be compared to the same level of cohesion of Daydream! Congratulations!
  4. tyytyl
    Nov 16, 2018
    9
    this is her best Album since 2005's "The Emancipation of Mimi". Highlights include "Portrait" "With You" "A No No"
  5. MarceloJCaution
    Nov 17, 2018
    10
    Without doubt this is the album that really should close the year 2018.
    He's so strong, neat, elegant and above all cohesive, Mariah Carey has made it the best album in years ... Caution is a masterpiece of R&B!
  6. nickcarey
    Nov 17, 2018
    10
    I'm actually really surprised by this album. It's so cohesive and yet every track is really different and fresh and still so classic Mariah. I love the way she used her voice and Giving Me Life is literally some of her best songs OF ALL TIME. Wow. If you will listen to this album, you won't be disappointed. Cheers MC! You're finally back!
  7. queenmariah1
    Nov 17, 2018
    10
    It's incredible her ability to stay current doing the same as always. Nice, Mariah. Love it. Although it counts on few songs, the album is very good. Quality is greater than quantity, thank you for teaching me that, Mimi.
  8. xcarlaradames
    Nov 17, 2018
    10
    Truly her best album since Butterfly. Sounds fresh, without sounding desperate. The songs 8th Grade and Portrait are my favourites off this album! I hope it gets the recognition it deserves.
  9. orangecIouds
    Nov 17, 2018
    9
    Arguably her most soiid & cohesive work since 2005's Emancipation. She's finally found solace in her current range and didn't have to revert to overproduction and pitched vocals like MIAM. I love how there aren't any big vocal moments but is still true to her sound and is modern & fresh. The production, the lyrics, are all 10/10. I love how she closed the album with "Portrait". ClassicArguably her most soiid & cohesive work since 2005's Emancipation. She's finally found solace in her current range and didn't have to revert to overproduction and pitched vocals like MIAM. I love how there aren't any big vocal moments but is still true to her sound and is modern & fresh. The production, the lyrics, are all 10/10. I love how she closed the album with "Portrait". Classic Mariah with a self-reflective piano ballad that depicts her personal life over the years. It sounds like a culmination of its predecessors ("Looking In" from Daydream, "Close My Eyes" from "Butterfly" and hints of "Petals" from the "Rainbow" album). I do wish the album tracks were sequenced better, but great album overall.… Expand
  10. Butter97
    May 24, 2022
    10
    Mariah Carey is flawless this phenomenal work. Clean, power. All the songs on "Caution" are a masterpiece.
  11. Marcosparadise
    Nov 18, 2018
    10
    A quality rescue was made by Mariah. The album is loud and bright. An artist from the 1920s to sound so current is practically impossible. The best song on the album is Giving Me Life (feat. Slick rick & blood orange), with the sound of a light guitar, Mr. Carey's voice stands out as a perfect marriage. With absolute certainty, this is one of the best songs of 2018. Highlight the songsA quality rescue was made by Mariah. The album is loud and bright. An artist from the 1920s to sound so current is practically impossible. The best song on the album is Giving Me Life (feat. Slick rick & blood orange), with the sound of a light guitar, Mr. Carey's voice stands out as a perfect marriage. With absolute certainty, this is one of the best songs of 2018. Highlight the songs Caution, A No No, 8th Grade, The distance (feat. Dolla $ ign) and Portrait. Congratulations Mariah, for being one of the few artists of the 1990s to create an innovative material without leaving the roots that put it in the world of music.… Expand
  12. seanshine
    Nov 18, 2018
    9
    New Mariah and she is still relevant. She worked with many new producers but still you can tell this album is on her leadership. Sound very Mariah with trendy and modern beats. Also She was using very various tones not necessarily high note vocal showcase in the end which makes easy to sing along. Every songs has a catch hook and very consistent. I wish She added one more up tempo songNew Mariah and she is still relevant. She worked with many new producers but still you can tell this album is on her leadership. Sound very Mariah with trendy and modern beats. Also She was using very various tones not necessarily high note vocal showcase in the end which makes easy to sing along. Every songs has a catch hook and very consistent. I wish She added one more up tempo song would make this album perfect.… Expand
  13. edbiado
    Nov 19, 2018
    10
    This is what happens when you let Mariah be Mariah. As the sole executive producer of the album, and presumably the one making all the decisions maybe for the first time in her career, the elusive chanteuse delivers a tight and compact offering that flows from one song to another without being under the guise of a concept album. It's perhaps the most sonically cohesive 10-track set she hasThis is what happens when you let Mariah be Mariah. As the sole executive producer of the album, and presumably the one making all the decisions maybe for the first time in her career, the elusive chanteuse delivers a tight and compact offering that flows from one song to another without being under the guise of a concept album. It's perhaps the most sonically cohesive 10-track set she has put out with the ease of a music legend with nothing to prove but with the urgency and agency of a legacy act with everything to prove. It's equal parts contemporary and nostalgic, often in the same song, and that's what makes it a unique accomplishment.… Expand
  14. sheepinflight
    Nov 20, 2018
    10
    Caution sounds like Mariah Carey at her most relaxed at doing what she loves, most assured in her artistry, perhaps most unconcerned about charts and sales. There are no pretensions or endeavours to recreate past critical successes such as Butterfly or Daydream (for they simply cannot be topped).

    There is a strong sense here that the songs are justly served, showcasing Mariah’s mature    Caution sounds like Mariah Carey at her most relaxed at doing what she loves, most assured in her artistry, perhaps most unconcerned about charts and sales. There are no pretensions or endeavours to recreate past critical successes such as Butterfly or Daydream (for they simply cannot be topped).

    There is a strong sense here that the songs are justly served, showcasing Mariah’s mature and clever songwriting without it being upstaged by showy belts and runs and whistle notes. Most tracks have a feel-good, groovy vibe about them, all certainly have a great deal of heart and soul (as do all Mariah songs), with some of the most memorable hooks and lyrics in her more recent career.

    It is substance without being heavy, playful without levity, cohesive from beginning to end. The quality is high throughout, and there is not a whiff of superfluity or insincerity about it. This stunning body of work is the result of a true artist’s evolution and it seems only a matter of course—this is exactly what Mariah Carey in 2018 would or even should sound like.    … Expand
  15. mezzy
    Nov 20, 2018
    10
    That is how you create a legendary and cohesive body of work especially 28 years in your career. After 14 studio albums, Mariah proves in her 15th one that she still got the magic with her voice, production skills and songwriting.
  16. Candy94
    Nov 20, 2018
    10
    This is her best album since Butterfly. Every song harmonizes with each other yet Mariah achieved what only she can: she’s not repetitive. This is a fresh new album for everybody who loves r&b music. Vocals are on point, lyrics are fun but there are some deep ones too.
  17. Hollywoodsangel
    Nov 20, 2018
    10
    Mariah never ceases to amaze me. She constantly reinvents herself and stays with the trends without copying anyone or anything. Her voice sounds great and her lyrics are top notch, as always. This album does not disappoint! A+ !!!
  18. thekemo
    Nov 21, 2018
    10
    After years of trying to recapture the organic brilliance of Butterfly and The Emancipation of Mimi, Mariah not only exceeds expectations with Caution, she breaks new ground and markedly sets the tone for the next chapter in her career.

    Caution is a masterclass in restrained elegance with expertly written lyrics that put Mariah, the songwriter, in the driver seat. Gone are the vocal    After years of trying to recapture the organic brilliance of Butterfly and The Emancipation of Mimi, Mariah not only exceeds expectations with Caution, she breaks new ground and markedly sets the tone for the next chapter in her career.

    Caution is a masterclass in restrained elegance with expertly written lyrics that put Mariah, the songwriter, in the driver seat. Gone are the vocal theatrics of her last effort along with any true attempts at Top 40 success, allowing the music to breathe without any commercial agenda. This frees Mariah up to experiment and boy, does she ever do that here. From the fire-starter that is GTFO to the sonic groove of Giving Me Life featuring the also-legendary Slick Rick, it is evident that Mariah is playing the industry game with a new hand of cards.

    At 48, this is exactly the type of album an artist of Mariah's caliber should be making - one that reaffirms a legacy and changes the conversation about a talent that has been severely unappreciated in recent years. Well done, Mimi!    … Expand
  19. murilocattaneo
    Nov 20, 2018
    10
    Mariah Carey has delivered us a truly masterpiece. Beating through all rumors and speculations on her abilities, she show us, once again, that she is a music genius. Mariah reinvent her music once more, and give us an album with delicious vocals and perfect lyrics and great aesthetical R&B sounds.
  20. markwalde
    Nov 21, 2018
    9
    This is such a solid R&B album that I can't get enough of it! After 28 years that included several dramatic ups and downs, Mariah delivered an album that is incredibly focused! Each of the (only) 10 tracks shows a different side of her, although the album sounds incredibly consistent. She completely builds on her current strengths, proving that whistles and belting is not the only thingThis is such a solid R&B album that I can't get enough of it! After 28 years that included several dramatic ups and downs, Mariah delivered an album that is incredibly focused! Each of the (only) 10 tracks shows a different side of her, although the album sounds incredibly consistent. She completely builds on her current strengths, proving that whistles and belting is not the only thing she can do. With superb songwriting (yes, people forget she is a singer-songwriter!), sexy low tones and soft high tones in her voice, Mariah showed us in CAUTION that she still got it after almost 30 years. She doesn't sound like she sounded in 1990, instead, she sounds how she should sound today. No one sounds or looks or performs the same for 30 years. People change. Mariah is an amazing musician, and as she gets older and wiser, her music grows with her. I know I will continue listening to this album on repeat for a LONG time.… Expand
  21. MalekMoyers
    Nov 21, 2018
    10
    Mariah has an art of staying current with the times while still staying true to herself and her craft. This album is a a must listen for any fan of true artistry.
  22. heartbreaker87
    Nov 22, 2018
    10
    This is the Mariah Carey I missed most: vulnerable, sexy and completely involved emotionally and vocally in her work. It's like a Butterfly in a modern key.
  23. aswad
    Nov 23, 2018
    10
    A consistent and solid RNB album, fresh and so contemporary, 30 years into her career Mariah is still delivering better bodies of work than her current fellow pop colleagues, legend status.
    Highlights : Caution, No No, One More 'Gen, With You
  24. ThiLobo
    Nov 24, 2018
    10
    The Best album, amazing vocals and lyrics, The Queen is back, the years go by and she's still the best!! Thank's MC!
  25. Rood_Araujo
    Nov 24, 2018
    10
    This Album is Amazing! Ms. Carey manages to stay current without forgetting her glorious past.
  26. Rasfa
    Nov 24, 2018
    10
    Only Mariah can outdo Mariah like this. It's fresh but welcoming and comfortable. It's music at its best. Songwriting, melodies and arrangements on point.
  27. lha
    Nov 24, 2018
    10
    Mariah's best album since 2005. Fresh, cohesive and addictive....Caution!!!
  28. Idamaro
    Nov 25, 2018
    10
    This is the best R&B album of the last decade.
    Amazing production that creates a hunting, atmospheric vibe. The song Giving me life is literally a masterpiece, a work of art. And let's not delude ourselves: Mariah Carey is master of her craft, one of the best singer-songwriters of all time.
  29. ItaloLeite
    Nov 25, 2018
    10
    Caution reveals a mature version of the excellent songwriter/singer who mesmerized fans throughout 28 years of a solid career. Mariah suppressed the well known whistles and high notes and highlight the ability to make her low notes sync with the chilling vibe of the album. It's a must-listen-to album!
  30. Nazario
    Dec 6, 2018
    9
    Crítica do blog Saga Das Músicas: ‘Caution’ é um daqueles álbuns que ouvimos em um dia chuvoso, enquanto bebemos um café ou navegamos na internet. Não há nenhuma faixa que seria uma “Hero” ou “We Belong Together” parte 2, mas é ainda sim um álbum muito completo, que tem o objetivo de passar sentimentos reais de forma a gerar empatia com o público. Nas palavras da própria Mariah:
    “os fãs    Crítica do blog Saga Das Músicas: ‘Caution’ é um daqueles álbuns que ouvimos em um dia chuvoso, enquanto bebemos um café ou navegamos na internet. Não há nenhuma faixa que seria uma “Hero” ou “We Belong Together” parte 2, mas é ainda sim um álbum muito completo, que tem o objetivo de passar sentimentos reais de forma a gerar empatia com o público. Nas palavras da própria Mariah:
    “os fãs só querem me ouvir me expressar, falar do coração e cantar do coração”. Acho que sua missão foi cumprida.    … Expand
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Awards & Rankings

11
#11 Most Discussed Album of 2018
46
#46 Most Shared Album of 2018

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
82

Universal acclaim - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. Consequence
    Nov 26, 2018
    67
    Previously, Mariah Carey has made it clear that she’s been through too much to care what anyone else thinks, shrugging off critics and denying all drama. On Caution, Carey has channeled that energy into the music itself.
    Read full review
  2. Pitchfork
    Nov 26, 2018
    75
    She’ll employ of-the-moment producers to add current touches to her tracks, but the way she uses them on Caution results in her fine-tuning her aesthetic, not bending to current playlist-friendly trends.
    Read full review
  3. musicOMH.com
    Nov 20, 2018
    100
    A neat album of only 10 tracks. We find her in life-admin mode, clearing out any dispensable trash that she no longer has time or the inclination for. ... Sublime.
    Read full review
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