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. tianocriss
    Feb 21, 2019
    10
    Amazing RnB album
    Amazing beats
    Amazing lyrics
    Amazing production
    Good and smooth vocals
  2. jespino19
    Apr 12, 2019
    10
    This album really was the best made album of 2018 hands down! Not only does it showcase that Mariah still has her Golden Pipes, but it also shows her resilience as an artist and a cultural innovator! Loved every track of it!
  3. 12mahalu
    May 12, 2019
    10
    The fact that Mariah Carey released an album as experimental, yet cohesive as Caution 30 years into her career proves that she's still the reigning Queen of R&B!

    This has to be one of the most sonically diverse albums I've heard in a long while; despite being fundamentally rooted in both traditional ('With You') and contemporary R&B ('A No No'), the album incorporates genres as varied    The fact that Mariah Carey released an album as experimental, yet cohesive as Caution 30 years into her career proves that she's still the reigning Queen of R&B!

    This has to be one of the most sonically diverse albums I've heard in a long while; despite being fundamentally rooted in both traditional ('With You') and contemporary R&B ('A No No'), the album incorporates genres as varied as EDM ('GTFO'), Psychedelia ('Giving Me Life') and Trap ('Stay Long Love You') into its sonic landscape, with Mariah saving a traditional, introspective and show-stopping ballad on her struggles with mental illness ("Portrait") as the album's closing track.

    Despite being so eclectic, the album still retains a cohesive and fluid sound! It isn't surprising that Mariah sang, wrote and produced all the songs on the album!

    When comparing 'Caution' to the works of other active artists in Pop, R&B and Hip-Hop, it's obvious that Mariah is still one step ahead of everyone else. She is one of the few living legends left who still makes it a point to push boundaries, which is a testament to her status as a risk-taker and innovator.

    I'd really be surprised if this album wasn't nominated for the 2020 Grammys. It has Best R&B Album, Best Traditional R&B Performance ("With You") and Best R&B Song ("A No No") written all over it!    … Expand
  4. Satwiky
    Jun 22, 2019
    10
    I was spellbound a few minutes into the album! She got me hooked to those R&B bangers like crazy. 'The Distance', 'Giving Me Life' and GTFO are my favourites!
  5. Jeanmarccos
    May 27, 2019
    10
    She can deliver a true and modern R&B with great lyrics, "Caution" by Mariah Carey is a masterpiece and nobody can say the opposite.
  6. bluefeeling
    Jun 1, 2021
    10
    The queen of r&b AND pop completely did it with this album like seriously, all these years into her career and she's still making excellent bodies of work. Songs like "Portrait" Stay Long Love You" "Giving me life" are honestly some of THEE best songs she's released this decade.
  7. cartwrightcat
    Jun 11, 2019
    10
    Caution is Mariah’s 15th studio album, released almost 30 years into her career, and it sounds like something a new artist would be releasing. Mariah displays her immense vocal ability on this album, yet, it doesn’t seem as though she’s showing off. As usual, the whole album was written by Mariah and only a few others, displaying Mariah’s immense abilities as a songwriter. Highlights ofCaution is Mariah’s 15th studio album, released almost 30 years into her career, and it sounds like something a new artist would be releasing. Mariah displays her immense vocal ability on this album, yet, it doesn’t seem as though she’s showing off. As usual, the whole album was written by Mariah and only a few others, displaying Mariah’s immense abilities as a songwriter. Highlights of the album include Caution, Giving Me Life, 8th Grade, and Portrait. Simply put, this album is r&b perfection.… Expand
  8. david_mimi
    Jun 14, 2019
    10
    Best R&B album of the year!! And one of the best Mariah albums ever. Highlights: Giving me life, A No No, Caution and GTFO.
  9. ThiagoLN
    Jun 16, 2019
    10
    Her best since The Emancipation Of Mimi. Current sounding, fresh, sexy and smart!
  10. Agshin_KNG
    Jun 19, 2019
    10
    A very solid piece of art. Although it's just 10 songs, but the whole album is complete and flawless. Her vocals are on point, singing and songwriting are fantastic!
  11. Megatronx
    Jun 23, 2019
    10
    Masterpiece! Mariah is a legendary & iconic artist in music history. A true entertainer.
  12. mitsi_m
    Jun 24, 2019
    10
    This is one of the Best R&B albums to be released this decade!! I can't stop playing it!
  13. Antojd
    Jun 24, 2019
    10
    Mariah has made an masterpiece of modern R&B music. All 10 tracks from the album are just flawless. Mariah is still on top form, and Oh my! She can bring us to places with the whole album!! A+
  14. Sam_KM70
    Jun 24, 2019
    10
    There's a reason Mariah Carey is the Gold Standard and Caution is yet another notch on that belt. A brilliant album in every sense, my only complaint is it's too short lol The writing, production, vocals everything is pure brilliant.
    Mariah is literally the last of the true Legends and she deserves all the recognition and appreciation for being the irreplaceable genius that she is. The    There's a reason Mariah Carey is the Gold Standard and Caution is yet another notch on that belt. A brilliant album in every sense, my only complaint is it's too short lol The writing, production, vocals everything is pure brilliant.
    Mariah is literally the last of the true Legends and she deserves all the recognition and appreciation for being the irreplaceable genius that she is. The Songbird Supreme remains unparalleled!    … Expand
  15. Dacian96
    Jun 24, 2019
    10
    Amazing!! One of the best albums of the last year! She is 30 years into her career yet she still slays! A legend
  16. Lillovaboy
    Jun 26, 2019
    10
    Amazing RnB Album.Pure RnB.Brings you back to the 90's.Amazing production.Really cohesive album.Must listen
  17. JakeyPoo
    Jul 11, 2019
    10
    Mariah has done it again with her 15th studio album. The album is so fresh and true to her sound all at the same time. The track list is well set up and it’s very cohesive. Lyrically, sonically and the musicality is perfection. The album has current sounds and of course her showcasing vocals during the ballads.
  18. Dairr
    Jul 22, 2019
    10
    It’s my favorite album it’s a masterpiece defo recommend , great songs great set list I’m obsessed with it !!! , it deserves people to hear it it’s amazing I’m serious I love itttttt
  19. araucaceas
    Jul 22, 2019
    10
    Classy and contemporary at the same time. Mariah shows us how to be relevant still after 30 years in music. Get yours now!
  20. mc2703
    Jul 22, 2019
    10
    one of the best album of this decade...mariah hasn't nothing to prove after all this time. i can listen to this hundred of times without skip any song
  21. mjfelipe
    Sep 1, 2019
    10
    Mariah was in her rightful element. Pure R&B, irresistable samples and hooks and engaging melodies and harmonies.
  22. mariiocmps
    Sep 2, 2019
    10
    Any of these 10 songs could be chosen as a single from this masterpiece. No fillers at all! Even though some say otherwise, Mariah reinvented her sound here and did what almost no one can do 30 years into their career. Just admit she is the songwriter, singer and producer of the century. All hail the legend!
  23. 999ant
    Sep 4, 2019
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Amazing.......................... best album ever.......... loved it.... proceed with caution...… Expand
  24. ixaac
    Sep 14, 2019
    10
    your favourites just couldn't do it like miss Mariah can; a writer, singer and producer. No one else in popular music has been gifted with all 3, especially at the standard Mariah has set the bar at.
  25. alexlbert
    Oct 30, 2020
    10
    álbum incrível e super coeso. o melhor desde o the emancipation of mimi. maravilhoso!
  26. AlexSierransoo
    Oct 29, 2019
    10
    Its a Cohesive, Show-stopping, and straightforward with no fillers. Its her best work in These 2 Decades ( Spare me lambs, TEOM was cute but it sounded so lackluster and Common with no new sound. MJBlige did justice and use new sound with Be Without You, anyways...) She back to basic RnB with new sound and new producers. So proud, I hope and will win At least 3 Grammys. Mark my wordIts a Cohesive, Show-stopping, and straightforward with no fillers. Its her best work in These 2 Decades ( Spare me lambs, TEOM was cute but it sounded so lackluster and Common with no new sound. MJBlige did justice and use new sound with Be Without You, anyways...) She back to basic RnB with new sound and new producers. So proud, I hope and will win At least 3 Grammys. Mark my word peasants. Potrait and Without You should at least nomminated for grammy… Expand
  27. musicbrain
    Nov 15, 2019
    10
    this album is a masterpiece. nearly 30 years into her career and mariah carey is stilling pumping out amazing quality music. she’s an icon and continues to prove so with every release she has. her talent is unparalleled and can only be defined as life changing and mountain moving. her songwriting paired with her producing almost out perform her vocals, and if you know mariah carey, youthis album is a masterpiece. nearly 30 years into her career and mariah carey is stilling pumping out amazing quality music. she’s an icon and continues to prove so with every release she has. her talent is unparalleled and can only be defined as life changing and mountain moving. her songwriting paired with her producing almost out perform her vocals, and if you know mariah carey, you know it’s hard to do that! congratulations on another masterpiece mariah. you never disappoint. all killer and never any filler!… Expand
  28. ChampagneSlurpE
    Nov 15, 2019
    10
    Queen of Music! Not one skip just full on vocals! Mariah is such a legend and deserves all the praise fir such great music!
  29. samcaution
    Nov 15, 2019
    10
    This is purely her best album to date, a perfect combination of classic R&B Mariah with a modern twist and flavour that is different than ever before. Even though she was vocally more reserved on this album, her vocal range is intact as she still hits her iconic whistle notes, as well as exploring the deeper and lower part of her voice more than ever, she also gives us a lot of highThis is purely her best album to date, a perfect combination of classic R&B Mariah with a modern twist and flavour that is different than ever before. Even though she was vocally more reserved on this album, her vocal range is intact as she still hits her iconic whistle notes, as well as exploring the deeper and lower part of her voice more than ever, she also gives us a lot of high belting, especially hidden in the background. If you haven't already, please listen to this masterpiece!… Expand
  30. Britneyblackout
    Nov 15, 2019
    10
    I've never been a fan of Mariah but this album is R&B perfection.she managed to go back to her roots.I love it
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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.
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  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.
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