Iconic songbird Mariah Carey returns with the highly anticipated follow-up to 2005’s The Emancipation of Mimi, her blockbuster comeback effort. On E=MC2, Carey experiments with reggae overtones on “Cruise Control,” and dabbles in Benatar-esque ‘80s pop/rock balladry on “Side Effects.” “Bye Bye” is a mournful ode to her late father, who passed away in 2002. However, the album falters when it plays it safe, as on the awkwardly-titled “I’ll Be Loving U Long Time,” which features the 1,023rd sampling of “Stay With Me” by DeBarge, complete with generic pop love song lyrics. Carey’s resurrection continues, but this set doesn’t have the sustained brilliance of Mimi. -forrest green III

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