Review Roundup: Mariah Carey - 'E=MC²'
Mariah Carey’s eleventh studio album E=MC² arrives in stores Tuesday. Here’s what the critics are saying…
Entertainment Weekly: Other dance-floor anthems include ”I’ll Be Lovin’ U Long Time” and ”O.O.C.,” which, for all of their pop polish, never lose their soulful spirit. Were it not for [“Bye Bye” and “I Wish You Well”], she could’ve gotten away with calling this album Treasure. A-
Los Angeles Times: Amid the drama of her comeback and the hoopla over her record-breaking chart numbers, it’s easy to forget that Mimi wasn’t exactly a great album. E=MC² is a little better—the songwriting is more consistent, the feel a bit more natural—but it too lacks a ruling temperament or artistic vision. 2 out of 5
The New York Times: Much of the record sounds like urban-radio imitations, without the peculiarities and effective hooks of Mimi. Maybe emancipation isn’t a continuing procedure; maybe it only comes once.
People: This is a satisfying follow-up [to Mimi], heavy on hip-hop-flavored midtempo jams (like the irressistible No. 1 hit “Touch My Body”) and beat-driven ballads (best is the pretty, piano-laced “I Stay In Love”). 3 out of 4