base talk I want to discover Mariah Carey's discography. Which album should I start with?

[Popboi.]

If you want to start with pop, Daydream.

If you prefer more R&B, The Emancipation of Mimi.

The perfect mixture of both? Butterfly.

 

[ONOPKA]

the trinity is: daydream, butterfly, emancipation

 

ones you might wanna skip: E=MC2

[paulyyyozd]

controversial take but honestly Memoirs since it's probably the most accessible one if you mostly listen to post-2010 pop music. and it has some gems. far from her best but that's the good part, it will only get better from there. 

 

that or Emancipation. then just go chronologically. 

[naval23]

Merry Christmas

[Mtjjproducer]

First 3 albums, and daydream are the only albums by her I really like. 
 

i would say most people would love emancipation I just don't like most music released from 2002 to 2005

[makeawish]

1 hour ago, Rico Shameless v2 said:

If you want knock after knock after knock start with Emancipation. That will also be a bit more of your vibe if you've genuinely never listened. Any other album will probably bore you initially til you get her vibe.

 

I would go to Daydream second, its middle kind of sags but it also has some nice runs at the front and back half.

 

Butterfly third although it's spotty, but does contain her best song Breakdown.

i started listening to mariah recently and did exactly this run, checks out (listen to #1 to infinity as well, she has lots of massive hits you won't want to wait for)

[IBeMe]

her best album is Butterfly. start with that miss mama!

[VerdantHue]

Start in chronological order. It's amazing to hear the growth sonically and artistically.

[Kiss It Better]

Daydream -> Butterfly -> TEOM -> debut -> Caution

 

if you like those then listen to the rest in order

[SupremeGoddess]

Charmbracelet, followed by Glitter and finish up the trinity with Elusive Chanteuse 

[Melancholy]

2 hours ago, stevyy said:

none. stop listening to Mariah. She's all mine. Stop it now or I will have to take legal action. 

sue me pleaseeee

[Melancholy]

54 minutes ago, SupremeGoddess said:

Charmbracelet, followed by Emotions and finish up the trinity with her best Elusive Chanteuse 

 

[Polgg48]

music box imo for dummy starter > other first fours > tokyo dome concert > butterfly > teom > elusive and done

[Comedor]

EOM is a classic. Also shoutout to Glitter, love that one. 

[ericcartman]

The Christmas stuff

[KahnumDash]

daydream and butterfly are her best work, i would start there and just listen to whatever afterwards

[Planet Mars]

4 hours ago, SharGaga said:

I have vivid memories of listening to debut and Emotions. I can't describe it but her voice and background vocals and melodies are truly out of this world on those albums. You should 100% start with debut. You can still hear the 80's influence on her self titled debut album. Also her voice sounds fuller and richer than her albums from Daydream and onward.

Definitely agree with this, her debut is fantastic. Vision Of Love, Love Takes Time and I don't Wanna Cry are three of her best #1 singles.

[dumbsparce]

Her 90s albums might bore you if big vocals and ballads are not your thing. E=MC2 offers the complete Mariah experience in a modern way and will give you a good idea of all the different things she can do.

[OnlyRealMusic.]

E=MC²

 

Once you hear Migrate you will levitate and you'll want to hear more. 

[toxicLambBot]

I would appreciate a review of the first album you get into. Like what are the expectations going in and what are the thoughts afterwards. 

Edited 15 hours ago by toxicLambBot
Changed on to in typo

[SimpleKindofLife]

Daydream really is the perfect intro album to her. Butterfly, Emancipation, Caution, Rainbow, and Music Box all are very easy albums to get into even if you're not so familiar with her music.

[JoeAg]

I feel like The Emancipation of Mimi is the one that'll make you fall in love with her, but I also reaaaally love Rainbow, Caution, and Butterfly 

 

Caution was the first one I stanned, and kinda has a bit of everything on it so maybe start there and then go Butterfly, Emancipation, Rainbow in that order!

[808dream]

If someone who didnt know who Mariah Carey is asked me I'd suggest Number 1s.

Number 1s is a GH but it's literally the Mariah Bible, it also features When You Believe which is a pop masterpiece. 

 

[Damien M]

Start with E=MC2, believe it or not.

[duybeeGAshantiGA]

Daydream is her magnum opus.