Mariah Carey's "Butterfly" album is her fifth proper studio album, but in Mariah's music video for her single "Honey" (her breaking free and running from inhibitions) and Her - constantly proclaiming her love for hip-hop and r&b, she suggests and some of us considers this as her first album. This album showcases Mariah's real voice and I'm not just talking about her singing voice, but her inner voice. She truly lets her voice shine on this album, and she pours her heart out on each and every single line she sings.
After being successful with her first three albums, Mariah wanted to incorporate some new genres (specifically hip-hop & r&b) to her 4th LP (Daydream). She injected some new flavors that introduced us to a then "more-matured Mariah Carey". Her label was hesitant at first, but then they thought that idea wouldn't hurt their sales so much since there were only a few songs which ended up on the album that were actually "hip-hop, r&b-ish", the rest of that album was still the traditional formulaic, "pop Mariah". It was obviously effective as "Daydream" still is Mariah Carey's second highest selling record to date. It was a new era for Mariah Carey and seeing the success which "Daydream" had, MC confidently dove in the r&b world. With this hip-hop oriented album, Mariah had a difficult time persuading her label to releasing this album, they thought a hip-hop sounding Mariah Carey album was too risky, (leave that to Mary J. ) But Mariah never gave up, and I'm forever grateful she didn't. This album spoke to me. It's the first time ever that I got to hear Mariah, for real, and understood her. Upon playing her lovely ballads, I cried with her, longed with her, grooved with her and constantly praised her for giving me the chills that tinged my spine everytime I hear a sincere note. And that voice, that sensual, rich and luscious husky voice that was considered as "The Mariah Voice" started showing on this album. She whispers her words as she sings her way through the gloomy "The Roof", the way her voice floats above the quiet-storm like "Fourth of July" unevitably leaves nostalgia. Gone are the classic technique Mariah showcased for six years, she found her new voice, literally.
This album was created in the midst of her divorce with her first husband. She was writing songs that were really about her, the real Mariah, that's hurting. It is not the first time MC wrote introspective songs but with songs like "Close My Eyes" and especially "Outside", it's as if this is the first time we ever get to hear Mariah at her purest, most vulnerable self. After all these years, where have you been Mariah? Up to now, Mariah still believes that she created a golden masterpiece with this genius LP, and I agree with her, the critics agree with her, and her fans loved her even more.
Butterfly has this concept of "flying away", departing from someone, somewhere or something, but what truly marked upon the release of this album was... The Arrival of Mariah Carey.
