Now if there is any Diva out there that I would "Stan" for, it would be Mariah Carey. But let's get this straight, I don't Stan for anybody, because in the end it doesn't help anyone: not the star, not the fan and least of all someone who is trying to critique music as objectively as possible. You might wonder why I'm adding this rambling disclaimer-of-sorts to the start of the review, but I feel I need to, because what I'm about to write I can't even believe is true, but here goes: Mariah Carey's new single, Triumphant (get em), is a total disappointment.
I have never, EVER, been disappointed with a Mariah Carey lead single, but this new song is stale -Jermaine Dupri when are you going to retire those blasted hi-hats- overproduced- especially, and depressingly, on the vocal- and the harmonies are muddy and awkward.
If that wasn't bad enough, the song sounds as if Mariah isn't even the lead artist. Instead rappers Meek Mill and Rick Ross hog most of the song's airtime, with our Diva taking a back seat, providing vocals on the hook and the song's chorus. What is that about!? Why hype a song so highly, or more importantly, why comeback with a song where you sound like a featured artist??
Yes, the lyrics are inspirational, and I have to commend Mariah Carey for trying to bring something inspirational to a music scene filled with vapid dance tracks and shallow lyrics. But this is a weak, confusing attempt that doesn't hit the mark. A misfire that is rendered hard to understand considering her great form in crafting uplifting songs. Just check out Through The Rain, Make It Happen, Fly Like A Bird, Anytime You Need A Friend or There's Got To Be A Way to hear some of her previous successes. Heck, even 2010's 100%, which was produced by the same team of Bryan-Michael Cox and Jermaine Dupri, was of a way better standard than Triumphant (Get 'Em).
No I don't want Mariah Carey of yesteryear, no I don't want Emancipation part 2 (though the cover art hints that that's where this is heading), what I want is a Mariah Carey song that features Mariah Carey as the main focus, back strong and proud. Sadly Triumphant (Get 'Em) doesn't even live up to the revised (lowered) expectations that I had after hearing the leaked snippet a few days ago.
Mariah Carey do us all a favour and please give this song to Meek Mill and Rick Ross and quietly change the Youtube attribution to "featuring" yourself before coming back with something meatier.
Oh and if I catch this song used in American Idol's promotion, or in the sob-story montage, I will lose any respect I had in the song's lyrics and meaning.
Rating: D+
