My Writings.

Rainbow, 1999 In 1999, Mariah Carey released her seventh studio album, Rainbow . This album served as a new chapter for Carey, one that seek to shed the skin of her past and brings her to the rainbow's end of the happier side of life. While not necessarily out of the ordinary (her 'ordinary' is extraordinary for common people), it certainly contains some of her most exciting music up to that point in time. Her ballads and bops have gotten so evolved that even her most grumpy naysayer would probably be in awe at the sheer musicality being displayed here. Songs such as "Heartbreaker" and "How Much" packed a center sweet quality like a hard candy which leaves listeners craving for more. Ballads like "Can't Take That Away" and "After Tonight" are worthy addition to her canon, while "Bliss" in all of its whistle-notes-soaked glory is probably her best use of the vocal register ever. The writing is playful at times, notably on...

Butterfly, 1997 Mariah Carey's sixth studio album titled Butterfly arrived 7 years after her debut. For us, it might have been yet another album from her. However, for Carey herself, it was a new beginning.  Butterfly is the first album where Carey's influences accumulated and melted together, resulting in an album that's so diverse. There's something else, though. Carey's own influence, something that could only be formed once you're on your eighth year of making music, is in full bloom here. Be it the lead single and first track, "Honey," or the jam-packed banger "Breakdown" with Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, Carey's never seemed so sure of her own musical and physical identity than on this album. The album cover represents the confidence as well; no longer was she hidden behind sepia or grayscale filter, or her photography limits itself to just above her neck. Carey's physical beauty is on display, perfectly so like a spring goddess or a...

Daydream, 1995 Daydream is the fifth album of Mariah Carey released back in 1995. It's her fourth non-holiday release and her first largely original material since 1993's Music Box . The album is filled with R&B confections not too different from her earlier music, but more varied than ever. It opens with lead single "Fantasy," a dance number that pairs a sample of Tom Tom Club's "Genius of Love" with new melodies of Carey's own. It's sugary sweet; I like how the lyrics actually go along with the title of the album. It's a fantasy, a daydream of sorts, of someone peculiar and perhaps drool-worthy coming to fulfill the prophecy of a dream lover. Quite a rapturous feeling indeed. "Underneath the Stars," the second track, follows with yet another fantasy. Or maybe it's a memory of a not so distant past this time. If the first song continues the trend of Mimi's 90's upbeat lead singles bar "Vision of Love," th...

Merry Christmas, 1994 Carey's fourth studio album, released only a year after her biggest album Music Box , is a Christmas-themed album titled, well, Merry Christmas . The album is filled with classic Christmas carols and ballads, with three additional original songs completing the collection. Let's take a look. It starts with a serene take on "Silent Night," a song about the nativity story. Carey's take builds the song around the atmospheric soundscape from the production. It truly sounds as if you're listening to a biblical narrator singing about the story in the barn where Jesus Christ was born. Talk about a journey to the past. The album then continues to the next song, "All I Want for Christmas Is You." The first original composition here, this is a song that I believe so many people have already known even from the title alone. One of the most famous songs on Earth, and I can hear why. Cheerful production amidst an even more cheerful singing de...

Music Box, 1993 We've come to this moment. A moment to wish for a dream lover to come and save us, to cherish our heroes if we can find them within us, and to be immersed in, strangely, sorrow. Opening song, "Dreamlover," is a lovely lowkey dance number with lyrics that are far fluffier than anything Carey has ever written up to that point. Her songwriting has grown to be softer and milder. Lines like "I want a lover who knows me, who understands how I'm feeling inside" and "baby, come on, take me away" come off as a bit surprising from the same woman who has delivered biting lyrics with the likes of "Someday," "Prisoner," and "You're So Cold." The next song, "Hero," is a ballad about self-esteem. You heard it right. The composition is very ordinary but manages to be effective in conveying the message. At one point, you can literally hear the sky turns bright after a cold dark night. Her voice also goes a...

Emotions, 1991 This has been the case with Mariah Carey; people thought she was more impressive of a singer rather than expressive. Pretty instead of gritty. Beautiful, not soulful. Maybe it's the nature of her insane vocal range, paired with the clarity of her tone whether it's low or high. Maybe it's her songwriting style that wasn't anything out of the ordinary (love songs, breakup ballads, etc.) Or, maybe, it's jealousy, but no one knows for sure. One thing remains true, though. No matter how many times she had to make the effort to prove critics wrong, there's always that impression which continues to stuck with her. Nevertheless, she kept trying to express more and more, and that may very well be heard on her second album titled Emotions . The album starts with the titular track, opening the album with such joyous vocal performance one might wonder, are they hearing things right? Her singing is definitely impressive, hitting high notes higher than the heav...

Recently, I've had an epiphany. A revelation. A vision...of reviewing music of the one and only, Mariah Carey. So, let's go back to the first time you and I have ever heard about her. Mariah Carey, 1990 The album starts with a soul ballad titled "Vision of Love." It's a prayer, at least from how I perceived it. The lyrics read like a series of incantation of thanks and glories to God. Interestingly, the songwriting seems to put a heavy emphasis on the "I" figure; I had a vision of love, I realized a dream, I visualized the love that came to be, etc. Mariah's lyrical works would become more and more intricate in coming years, however, it's fascinating to see how direct the diction chosen for this song and so many other songs on this album. Next, we continue to "There's Got to Be a Way," which is a song about social movement. Or, perhaps, the plea to enact one. One of the things that makes me feel enamored by the songstress' works...

Reza Artamevia, or Rezza Artamevira, or simply Reza, maybe Rezza, is one of the most cherished Indonesian singing divas of her time. Debuted in the year of 1997, she was one of the instantly recognizable voices of Indonesian music industry. Her husky voice and sultry singing style had once captured many hearts and some of her songs seem to be eternally remembered by many Indonesians. Let's take a look of what made her very special! Note: I just discovered her music a week ago and cannot stop listening to it, however, I'm actually not familiar with her career at all. 🌟 Keajaiban (1997) This album is really good. It's a very impressive collection of soft R&B-influenced pop songs and I'm liking everything on here. Her voice enchants me; it's almost haunting. Her debut single, aptly titled "Pertama" (lit. translated as First), is a sexy number which subliminally commands you to move with the groove. Already, she co-wrote this one, as well as two other son...

Agnes Monica 'Agnez Mo' Muljoto is one of Indonesia's many singing divas. She is known for her impeccable vocal range, energetic dance music, very loyal fanbase (the AGNATION; was once called NezInDaClub) and her 'perfectionism'. She has an impressive music catalogue of her own with variety of sounds and styles. Mostly famed for her slogan, "dream, believe and make it happen" and her ambition of having an international success, she has gained a lot of acclaims and criticisms along the way. Let's take a look at her discography! Note: Mo had released some music during her childhood days, but I won't include it here since I was never familiar with her earliest songs. 🌟 "..and the story goes....." (2003) This was her first 'attempt' to create an album that reflected her transition into adulthood. Truth is, this was still her adolescence phase and, objectively speaking, it was a really good 'debut' album for her. The music is ...