The Rundown: Mariah Carey, Me. I Am Mariah...The Elusive Chanteuse

A track-by-track look at Mimi's latest effort.

The Rundown: Mariah Carey, Me. I Am Mariah...The Elusive Chanteuse - After a long yet productive five-year hiatus, Mariah Carey is back with her 14th album, Me. I Am Mariah...The Elusive Chanteuse. The time off has done Mimi justice, as her latest effort may be one of her best comebacks to date. (The award-winning The Emancipation of Mimi is another.)The album shuts down any theory that Mariah has lost her step as she continues to master the art of reinvention and blending trendy music with classics with assistance from Nas, Wale, Fabolous, R. Kelly, Mary J. Blige, Mike WiLL Made It and more. Read on for a track-by-track look. —Dominique Zonyeé (@DominiqueZonyee)(Photo: Def Jam Recordings)

1 / 18

The Rundown: Mariah Carey, Me. I Am Mariah...The Elusive Chanteuse - After a long yet productive five-year hiatus, Mariah Carey is back with her 14th album, Me. I Am Mariah...The Elusive Chanteuse. The time off has done Mimi justice, as her latest effort may be one of her best comebacks to date. (The award-winning The Emancipation of Mimi is another.)The album shuts down any theory that Mariah has lost her step as she continues to master the art of reinvention and blending trendy music with classics with assistance from Nas, Wale, Fabolous, R. Kelly, Mary J. Blige, Mike WiLL Made It and more. Read on for a track-by-track look. —Dominique Zonyeé (@DominiqueZonyee)(Photo: Def Jam Recordings)

"Cry" - The album opens up with a romantic attention-grabbing ballad showcasing Mariah Carey's one-of-a kind vocal range, which brought her fame via "Vision of Love." The lead begins with her whispering soft sounds, but as expected, it picks up allowing her to gracefully stretch her vocal cords throughout.(Photo: Mark Davis/Getty Images for BET)

2 / 18

"Cry" - The album opens up with a romantic attention-grabbing ballad showcasing Mariah Carey's one-of-a kind vocal range, which brought her fame via "Vision of Love." The lead begins with her whispering soft sounds, but as expected, it picks up allowing her to gracefully stretch her vocal cords throughout.(Photo: Mark Davis/Getty Images for BET)

Beautiful - Mariah Carey looking fit and fine before killing it on stage with Miguel.   (Photo:  Jason Merritt/BET/Getty Images for BET)

3 / 18

"Faded" - If you love "Shake It Off," then "Faded" will definitely make your "Ladies Night" playlist. Mariah and Mike WiLL Made It are in perfect harmony as she sings over the snare-infused beat, clearly made exclusively for her.(Photos from left: Jason Merritt/BET/Getty Images for BET, John Ricard / BET)

Photo By Photo:  Jason Merritt/BET/Getty Images for BET/ Jason Merritt/BET/Getty Images for BET

"Dedicated," Featuring Nas - It's about time these two veterans gave fans a collabo. Nas and Mimi take us back to their favorite summer of 1988, sampling Slick Rick and Doug E. Fresh's "La Di Da Di." The old school hip hop feel complements Mariah's carefree vocals as she reminisces about a past summer love. Nas brings the track home, paying homage to the era of yesteryear with his mentions of Adidas, Pee Wee Herman and "money earnin’ Mount Vernon."(Photos from Left: PNP/WENN.com, Jerritt Clark/Getty Images)

4 / 18

"Dedicated," Featuring Nas - It's about time these two veterans gave fans a collabo. Nas and Mimi take us back to their favorite summer of 1988, sampling Slick Rick and Doug E. Fresh's "La Di Da Di." The old school hip hop feel complements Mariah's carefree vocals as she reminisces about a past summer love. Nas brings the track home, paying homage to the era of yesteryear with his mentions of Adidas, Pee Wee Herman and "money earnin’ Mount Vernon."(Photos from Left: PNP/WENN.com, Jerritt Clark/Getty Images)

"#Beautiful," Featuring Miguel - Although this single was released almost a year ago in the spring of 2013, it never gets old. Miguel and Mariah pair up nicely on the uplifting song, and it fits right in with the rest of the summer vibes on the album.(Photo: Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images)

5 / 18

"#Beautiful," Featuring Miguel - Although this single was released almost a year ago in the spring of 2013, it never gets old. Miguel and Mariah pair up nicely on the uplifting song, and it fits right in with the rest of the summer vibes on the album.(Photo: Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images)

ADVERTISEMENT
"Thirsty," Featuring Rich Homie Quan - If it's one thing Mimi doesn't like, it's a "thirsty" dude who tries too hard. On this trendy track, Mariah makes fun of a dude who thinks he's a boss but is a little too eager to floss on her celebrity status. While the concept may seem a bit frivolous in comparison to Mariah classics, Hit Boy nailed the beat.(Photo: Bryan Bedder/Getty Images)

6 / 18

"Thirsty," Featuring Rich Homie Quan - If it's one thing Mimi doesn't like, it's a "thirsty" dude who tries too hard. On this trendy track, Mariah makes fun of a dude who thinks he's a boss but is a little too eager to floss on her celebrity status. While the concept may seem a bit frivolous in comparison to Mariah classics, Hit Boy nailed the beat.(Photo: Bryan Bedder/Getty Images)

"Make It Look Good" - Another reason to love Mariah Carey: her level of versatility is uncanny. On this feel-good track she welcomes the harmonious sounds of a harmonica to accompany her vocals, channeling her chanteuse persona.(Photo: David Livingston/Getty Images)

7 / 18

"Make It Look Good" - Another reason to love Mariah Carey: her level of versatility is uncanny. On this feel-good track she welcomes the harmonious sounds of a harmonica to accompany her vocals, channeling her chanteuse persona.(Photo: David Livingston/Getty Images)

"You're Mine (Eternal)" - This single screams "classic Mariah" as remnants of her old formula are visible, from the harmonizing ad-libs to the romantic lyrics. "You make me feel like our love would never end/ How can I forget," she sings. Although she's been married since 2008, this song is still in the honeymoon phase.(Photo: Jeff Daly/PictureGroup)

8 / 18

"You're Mine (Eternal)" - This single screams "classic Mariah" as remnants of her old formula are visible, from the harmonizing ad-libs to the romantic lyrics. "You make me feel like our love would never end/ How can I forget," she sings. Although she's been married since 2008, this song is still in the honeymoon phase.(Photo: Jeff Daly/PictureGroup)

"You Don't Know What to Do" Featuring Wale - With the chords of the piano, it sounds like this will be another amazing Mariah ballad, but then Wale comes in with "sing baby, baby sing" and by the time the beat drops it's clear that this is a fun-loving dance song. The old-school thump ignites a roller-rink feel, and Wale's poetic flow adds the right amount of turn-up.(Photos from left: Jason Kempin/Getty Images for BET, Jason Merritt/Getty Images For BET)

9 / 18

"You Don't Know What to Do" Featuring Wale - With the chords of the piano, it sounds like this will be another amazing Mariah ballad, but then Wale comes in with "sing baby, baby sing" and by the time the beat drops it's clear that this is a fun-loving dance song. The old-school thump ignites a roller-rink feel, and Wale's poetic flow adds the right amount of turn-up.(Photos from left: Jason Kempin/Getty Images for BET, Jason Merritt/Getty Images For BET)

"Supernatural" - It's a family affair on this one, with Mimi taking lead as her twins, Moroccan and Monroe, take over with their innocent laughter and professions of love for their mom on the ad-libs. Mariah, too, professes her love for her family as she sings, "Our love is supernatural" to her husband, Nick Cannon, on this romantic dedication to the people who mean the most to her.(Photo: Bennett Raglin/BET/Getty Images)

10 / 18

"Supernatural" - It's a family affair on this one, with Mimi taking lead as her twins, Moroccan and Monroe, take over with their innocent laughter and professions of love for their mom on the ad-libs. Mariah, too, professes her love for her family as she sings, "Our love is supernatural" to her husband, Nick Cannon, on this romantic dedication to the people who mean the most to her.(Photo: Bennett Raglin/BET/Getty Images)

ADVERTISEMENT
"Meteorite" - If you didn't get up out of your seat for earlier tracks like "You Don’t Know What to Do" or "Dedicated," then you will definitely find your way to the dance floor on "Meteorite." This is Mimi’s Q-Tip-assisted, modern-day disco track, strategically infused with a hint of Diva, a splash of jazz, and enough high notes to give you a sore throat if you tried to sing along.(Photo: Imeh Akpanudosen/Getty Images)

11 / 18

"Meteorite" - If you didn't get up out of your seat for earlier tracks like "You Don’t Know What to Do" or "Dedicated," then you will definitely find your way to the dance floor on "Meteorite." This is Mimi’s Q-Tip-assisted, modern-day disco track, strategically infused with a hint of Diva, a splash of jazz, and enough high notes to give you a sore throat if you tried to sing along.(Photo: Imeh Akpanudosen/Getty Images)

"Camouflage" - The title says it all. Mariah slows it down on this one to reveal a more vulnerable Mimi. The piano ballad complements her soft serenade as the soulful church-choir reinforces her plea for compassion and understanding for her mate. (Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

12 / 18

"Camouflage" - The title says it all. Mariah slows it down on this one to reveal a more vulnerable Mimi. The piano ballad complements her soft serenade as the soulful church-choir reinforces her plea for compassion and understanding for her mate. (Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

Photo By Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

"Money ($ * / …)," Featuring Fabolous - It's been a while since Mariah and Fabolous teamed up for "Last Night a DJ Saved My Life" off Mimi’s 2012 film, Glitter, but it was worth the wait. Hit Boy provides the two-step R&B beat, as Mimi and Fab go verse-for-verse. Together, the trio makes another sunbathed, nostalgic Mariah track, single-ready and perfect for the transition from spring to summer.(Photos from left: Jason Kempin/Getty Images for BET, Jason Merritt/Getty Images For BET)

13 / 18

"Money ($ * / …)," Featuring Fabolous - It's been a while since Mariah and Fabolous teamed up for "Last Night a DJ Saved My Life" off Mimi’s 2012 film, Glitter, but it was worth the wait. Hit Boy provides the two-step R&B beat, as Mimi and Fab go verse-for-verse. Together, the trio makes another sunbathed, nostalgic Mariah track, single-ready and perfect for the transition from spring to summer.(Photos from left: Jason Kempin/Getty Images for BET, Jason Merritt/Getty Images For BET)

"One More Try" - Mimi has always credited her success to God, and she takes you to church on this cover of George Michael's 1987 ballad. But while the original is already amazing, Mariah's remake is over the top, bringing the traditionally one-leveled track to a multi-dimensional sonic explosion that only the Diva of Pop can deliver.

14 / 18

"One More Try" - Mimi has always credited her success to God, and she takes you to church on this cover of George Michael's 1987 ballad. But while the original is already amazing, Mariah's remake is over the top, bringing the traditionally one-leveled track to a multi-dimensional sonic explosion that only the Diva of Pop can deliver.

Mariah Carey, @MariahCarey - Tweet: "'mommy Roe Roe wanna sing mommy!' Ms. Monroe just can't stay away from momma's mic.. No matter where we are! ‪pic.twitter.com/IFdCNhfViS "Not even 3 years old, and already little Monroe is exhibiting the signs of a superstar. #FollowingInMommysFootsteps?(Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for OUT100 presented by Buick)

15 / 18

"Heavenly (No Ways Tired/Can’t Give Up Now)" - On this reflective track, Mimi appropriately calls on a choir to help her get her point across. She sings with passion and force as she relies on her past to dictate her future. The chorus, "I can't give up now, I've come too far from heaven, nobody told me the road would be easy," is humbling and self-assuring.(Photo :Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for OUT100 presented by Buick)

ADVERTISEMENT
"It's a Wrap" Featuring Mary J. Blige - In Mimi's own words, "Now it's time for the deluxe." She kicks off the bonus tracks with a remake of her "It's a Wrap" off Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel, a duet featuring Mary J. Blige. The song was originally released in 2009, but the 2014 version featuring Mary is twice as good. The two R&B divas complement one another, adding a women's-only club vibe to lyrics about leaving a no-good ex. (Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

16 / 18

"It's a Wrap" Featuring Mary J. Blige - In Mimi's own words, "Now it's time for the deluxe." She kicks off the bonus tracks with a remake of her "It's a Wrap" off Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel, a duet featuring Mary J. Blige. The song was originally released in 2009, but the 2014 version featuring Mary is twice as good. The two R&B divas complement one another, adding a women's-only club vibe to lyrics about leaving a no-good ex. (Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

"Betcha Gon' Know," Featuring R. Kelly - Mariah taps R. Kelly to let you into a day of her life. This is another Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel recreation made into a duet, featuring vocals from the Pied Piper of R&B. The storyline-driven song is perfect for Kells, who adds a "Trapped in the Closet" feel with his verse in which he describes an accidental affair. Kells sings, "Baby I know how it looks," after he is caught red handed, and even suggests that someone may have slipped something in his drink.(Photos from Left: Noel Vasquez/Getty Images, Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

17 / 18

"Betcha Gon' Know," Featuring R. Kelly - Mariah taps R. Kelly to let you into a day of her life. This is another Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel recreation made into a duet, featuring vocals from the Pied Piper of R&B. The storyline-driven song is perfect for Kells, who adds a "Trapped in the Closet" feel with his verse in which he describes an accidental affair. Kells sings, "Baby I know how it looks," after he is caught red handed, and even suggests that someone may have slipped something in his drink.(Photos from Left: Noel Vasquez/Getty Images, Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

"The Art of Letting Go" - Letting go isn't easy, but Mariah mastered the art on her closing track. "I'm making a statement," she sings, for anyone who has been in love, in a friendship, or any type of relationship in which betrayal led to its ultimate demise.(Photo: Paras Griffin /Landov)

18 / 18

"The Art of Letting Go" - Letting go isn't easy, but Mariah mastered the art on her closing track. "I'm making a statement," she sings, for anyone who has been in love, in a friendship, or any type of relationship in which betrayal led to its ultimate demise.(Photo: Paras Griffin /Landov)