Mariah Carey’s Sugar Sweet: Mimi at her Sexy Best in this 90s Throwback

The last studio record we got from Mariah Carey…aka Mimi…aka The Elusive Chanteuse…was Caution in 2018. This was an instant hit for Mariah and as the years went by, I thought it was the last we would hear from the Songbird Supreme…ok, no more nicknames…However, Carey had other plans and has now released Sugar Sweet, which is the lead single for hr new record Here for it All. I love Mimi, women R&B vocalists and I adored Caution. So, will this live up to her lofty standards.

Musically, this track is firmly in 90s R&B. Think old school TLC, Sade or Mary j Blige. That is, tight 4/4 beats with snare and wood block accents. The bass, keyboard and occasional bongos/chymes all hit those classic 90s R&B jazz influenced notes you are looking for. In my opinion, the 90s was a golden age for pop R&B and that musical structure and general instrumental arrangement has endured for all these decades. Beynocé, SZA and Doja Cat have successfully played with and stretched the genre, but there will always be a place for that classic 90s sound. The arrangement for this track is on point. It is sexy, smooth and gives the vocalists space to cook.

Speaking of vocalists, everyone in this track is bringing it. Let’s start with the guest stars. Carey brings on artists Shenseea and Kehlani, who both have new tracks out. Kehlani is an up and coming R&B artist who is really out of the Carey mould with sexy smooth vocals paired with an excellent range. Even though her range pales in comparison to Mimi at her height, she is able to hit the high notes that Carey can’t quite get to on this record. Shenseea is the one who gives the track a modern feel and saves it from being just another 90s throwback. She is a Jamaican artist who brings that dancehall tradition and is a perfect match for this sexy R&B party. Both artists deserve a closer look and I will be checking out their new tracks.

Time to talk about Carey and how her sexiness is timeless. Much like Caution in 2018, she can still bring it and has a sexy smoothness to her more mature vocal. Early career Mimi wowed you with her range, but I found her vocal to be a bit sharp and almost too much of an acrobatic exercise. On Sugar Sweet she is a lot like Sade with a deeper timbre and the sharpness rounded off. Having said that, she still has great range and an excellent sense of pop timing and how to deliver.

I love this song. The Elusive Chanteuse herself is still at the top of her game and is here to remind you that she still owns pop. Her vocal is deeper and smoother, but still packs a punch and a sexiness that will never vanish. I love that she is still putting out great sexy music for all of us to enjoy.

Listen to Sugar Sweet