Mariah Carey returned to the top of the critical mountain with 2018’s ‘Caution.’
Lauded by fans and critics alike, the LP was praised in earnest for delivering classic Mimi with a modern twist.
And while the lion-share of critique is limited to which song should have been a single (#Justice4TheDistance), the singer herself has revealed that she felt there was room for improvement.
Full story below…
Speaking on the Questlove Supreme podcast, Carey was quizzed about her next studio album.
When asked directly about whether the wheels were in motion, she seized the moment to share her thoughts on its predecessor. She said:
“Yes (I am getting to new music), but with a different approach.
When I did Caution, I love some of the songs from Caution, but I don’t think I was at the place vocally where I could be now. Also, it was rushed. Not that it was rushed, and look, it was my best, most critically acclaimed album, you know I think that’s because the critics have changed and shifted since back in the day. Believe it or not, if you look at those things, it’s the [critics] most favorite album, but what I was gonna say is that I didn’t have the time I would normally take, and I really wish I did have that time to do a few more records on that album to just, fully have that expression.
(At the time) it was like ‘oh, we got to have her back and have people know she put out a studio album. And then they screwed that up with the way they gave away these instant-grats. ‘Oh, we’re gonna do instant-grats!’ Why? Just put the single out.”
After articulating her frustration with that practice, she went on to stress that:
“My fans get really mad when I shade my old albums. This isn’t that. I really do like ‘Caution’ as an album. But to put it up against – and this isn’t a fair analogy – ‘Butterfly’…I had all the time in the world. I went in there and did what I wanted. I worked in Florida, I worked in New York, I worked wherever I wanted and put that time in. But with there the record industry is now, we don’t have that luxury anymore.'”
************
As a seasoned singer and songwriter, Mariah’s opinion is one we respect in earnest. So much so that we’ll put our love for ‘Caution’ to the side to digest what she means when speaking about it.
Given how great the record is, one could only imagine the elevated levels of brilliance that would have been with more time.
Beyond those remarks, what was especially striking was how candid she spoke about being in a better vocal space now compared to then. It goes without saying that her instrument has long been the subject of much discussion, so who better to weigh-in than Mariah herself.
Listen from the 38.39 mark. It’s a great interview.
She’s right. Caution didn’t have any crossover records on it. The album was good but should’ve been much better.
Loved the interview, and I enjoyed her candidness.
It’s a shame she felt that way. Even though the album felt short it was still my favourite album of 2018 and is up there with her best albums (imo) Daydream, Butterfly and Memoirs.
Yup Memoirs was THE ALBUM.. every song hit me differently, still have the album on my phone till this day .. A classic ..
CAUTION IS THAT GIRL. WRONG SINGLES
💯
Oh please. She’s always giving long winded bs excuses for her flops.
Shut it hoee
The gag is a 15th album from someone 30 years into a career was such a flop it moved you to open an article and Extra Extra Read All About It!
You = LAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATE!
Lmfao facts Lamboo!!! Haters want her to lose so damn bad. FOR WHAT?! she ain’t got s*** to prove!
Have you even heard this epic album or are you just here to hate on Mariah Carey for no reason at all?
Facts we needed videos for the distance, giving me life and 8th grade
Yassssss 💯🤳🏽
STAY LONG LOVE YOU TOO GIRL
I love caution. Her other albums have too many fillers. There was no reason “me I am Mariah” to have that many damn songs. Albums should be 12 songs max. Caution was perfect…aside from GTFO. That was pure trash
You are definitely Only Flops. No one else speaks as though their word is gospel.
Mariah is second to no one and has the hits to prove that, so obviously the woman knows what she is talking about, she has gone number one 20 times and thats just in America. Sit down your comment is dismissed.
This b I t ch is always talking about nutcase Spears💅🏿💅🏿💅🏿
“#FreeBritney!” 🤣🤣🤣
I loved the Album I’m here for it purrrr
WE NEEDED THE A NO NO REMIX WITH CARDI KIM N MISSY
Yes!
They really f***** up that roll out
Yea Caution could have really been something special with a few more cuts and the right single release! The instant-grats was TRASH!!!!! This interview was really good. I do wish she would say what she wants to say about the Walter A. thing because its clear that the 50% writing credit he received on all the songs they did together didn’t amount to how much of the actual writing they did, and she walks the fine line of saying it and holding back on actually saying it. But this is the first time she’s suggested that Walter A. royalties weren’t only for him but clear other people had cuts in it.
I think her discussing it is something young artists that write their own stuff need to hear.
I can agree in that several songs were available to download before the album was out (The Distance, A No No) – I was refusing to listen to them until the album was released lol – Given the live that was rained on A No No it could have charted had people first heard the song as a single along with air play.
All the tunes are great, but we know the album was short. Under 40 minutes, and a lot of fans felt the best song was left off the album – Runway – for some reason Japan got 2 versions and we didn’t get any unless we were naughty.
I forget the interview she did – was it Genius? – at the time of release, and she said even then at the time of release that the label wanted 10 tracks and ‘I hope they know what they’re doing’ – that was telling.
I agree with Mariah and I get what she is saying totally… Caution is a good album- But Mariah is a Vocalist! She knows good vocals. production, songs etc. So to compare this album to her last work where she was probably in a better vocal zone.. is interesting. I have a feeling this Next Album is going to be strong!!!
This album is great great! She is incredible! The singles should’ve been different.
1. No no remix
2. Runway, should’ve been on the US version of her album.
3. 8th G.
4. Stay Long Love U
5. The Distance
This would’ve be great, with great videos.
💞💗
what the hell are instant-grats?
When you preorder the album and get a instant song off the album ahead of release & that song doesn’t get the proper single treatment, like what happen with The Distance
Thanks for answering because I too was like wtf is an insta-grat? 🤣😒
The album is ok. This is Mariah… as far as I’m concerned, I don’t think she has any horrible album from start to finish.
Then yes, with such a huge catalogue, she won’t please everybody and everyone will have their personal favorites/least favorites.
Some of her songs have aged terribly (some stuff on Rainbow, Charmbracelet that I’m thinking of right now) but once again, with such a huge discography, it would have been rather impossible to achieve the contrary.
At some point, I have to say… we got so many horrible (to me) singles. Triumphant, You’re Mine, I Don’t, To Infinity, With You…
She still has classics for ages, timeless records. And let’s not forget she’s a real songwriter and producer.
She’s been in such a good place lately, firing Stella, capitalizing off of her legacy, her memoirs, MC30, the Rarities, #1 again for Christmas, good use of social medias, praises in the medias and positive exposure… I’m so looking forward to the next album.
Please Mariah give us a classic, no ratchet beats or overproduced vocals with tons of layering and overlapping vocals. I know she’s got it.
She did that with “With You” calm down. Some people like to dance every now and then lamb!💗💗
Love Mimi, but from when the Avon lady is refusing to hand Jay Z the memory stick so he can upload R9 to Tidal, surely MARIAH CAREY can take the time she needs and fly to Capri to work on a project. 30 years in the business and still no control of her business! Caution was a bop though!
At least she owns her masters. She was smart from the very beginning. She made one mistake with a bad contract, she talks about it in her book, but never gave up the rights to her music even when she was broke and needed the coins.
I can’t say the same for artists who started decades later. Taylor Swift for example.
I guess no matter how long you’ve been in this game, if you’re not independent, you still have to deal with certain things out of your control. Just like any job.
You have to work and use the computer and internet, and if you can do that and dedicate some time each day then you can do this with no problem.
I have been working with this for a month and have made over $2,000 already. let me know if you need more help.
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I agree with Mimi. Excellent album (you can see my review on my YouTube channel), but there was something a bit off and now I guess I know. I really would have LOVED to see more videos. Very touching songs and relatable lyrics, but we needed more videos. Amazing R&B that we needed though frfr!🔥🔥🔥🔥🎶
The Distance should have been the second single. I listen to it all the time.