Albums: Here For It All

Mariah Carey Here For It All

Tracks: Mi; Play This Song (ft. Anderson .Paak); Type Dangerous; Sugar Sweet (ft. Shenseea & Kehlani); In Your Feelings; Nothing Is Impossible; Confetti & Champagne; I Won't Allow It; My Love; Jesus I Do (ft. The Clark Sisters); Here For It All

Label: gamma

Mariah Carey has waited 8 years to resurface with a new studio album. Having released her debut album back in 1990, the last 35 years have seen her both heralded as one of the finest vocalists and one of the most notorious divas. Having cast insight into the person behind the persona upon releasing her autobiography, The Meaning of Mariah, half a decade ago, her approach to the release of her sixteenth studio album has seen her once again on the road, while also embracing more proximity to her fans. Showing a playful side, her social media presence has grown, and she has even released a very limited run of signed records. With all of the aforementioned satisfying the cravings of her ever-dedicated 'lambs', does the long-awaited album actually fulfil the cravings?

Here For It All follows on from the largely critically acclaimed Caution, which embraced both her diva status and really saw her delve deeper into the R&B world that had shaped a lot of her sound. Here For It All is lyrically more reflective and intimate. Exploring love, hurt and self-worth alongside her religious conviction, this is a very different beast to its predecessor. That being said, the R&B tinges are still there, but married to the bold balladry that really saw her excel in her early years.

There is absolutely no denying that her huge vocal range is still as striking as previously, but the vocal gymnastics that she explored in her earlier delivery have calmed and been replaced with a more focused energy. With the songs on the collection, it really does work. While the lead single, Type Dangerous, was slick and poised R&B, it is somewhat misleading in terms of the album's actual contents – although there is little surprise that it was chosen as the lead single, given that it is the most instant of the songs on the set.

Boasting three collaborations, the most impressive is the suitably titled saccharine drive of Sugar Sweet, which features Shenseea and Kehlani. The three vocals blend perfectly and really stand their ground. Equally notable is the fiery I Won't Allow It, which has a steely determination that is not fully explored elsewhere on the record, other than in the aforementioned lead single. However, for those that want Mariah to sing and sing like she means it, the showstoppers will be the title track, Here For It All, and the blissful Nothing Is Impossible.

Here For It All is not Mariah's strongest collection, but the bar is set extremely high. Compared to many others, this is still a striking record which is vocally faultless and lyrically thought-provoking.