I listened to
Me. I Am Mariah... The Elusive Chanteuse for the first time in its entirety and while I didn't like a few songs, it's actually a solid album. There's potential for hit singles. Mariah and her team mismanaged it and did it a lot of disservice.
I think she needs to get away from the whole "make cute faces half-naked in front of the camera, embracing yourself while the fan blows your hair" image in her music videos. It's not working anymore. She's been doing it for a decade now.
She needs a reinvention.
Here are the singles I think could've saved this era:
- "#Beautiful" (feat. Miguel) - There's no better lead single than this one. Not gonna lie.
Music video: No changes. It actually worked in her favor.
- "Thirsty" - They wasted this song. It's so good.
Music video director: Diane Martel (responsible for Miley Cyrus' "We Can't Stop", Robin Thicke's "Blurred Lines" and Britney Spears' "3").
- "You Don't Know What to Do" (feat. Wale) - Starts out sounding like another sappy ballad, before changing its tempo and going bonkers in the chorus. I love it.
Music video director: Marc Klasfeld (helmed Kelis' "Bossy", fun.'s "We Are Young" and Katy Perry's "Last Friday Night").
- Pop: "You're Mine (Eternal)" - Release this close to November or December.
Music video director: Philip Andelman (directed Beyoncé's "Halo", Jordin Sparks' "Battlefield" and Taylor Swift's "Begin Again"). This one needs an actual story.
Urban: "Dedicated" (feat. Nas) - This definitely isn't destined to chart high, but at least will give her presence in urban radio.
Music video director: Director X / Little X (made Ciara's "Body Party", R. Kelly's "Same Girl" and Nelly Furtado's "Promiscuous").
- "Meteorite" - What a better way to close the era with an extremely danceable track?
Music video director: Hype Williams (directed Beyoncé's "Blow", Christina Aguilera's "Not Myself Tonight" and Jamie Foxx's "Blame It").
