E=MC2 (by Mariah Carey, Pop)

After a decades-long career, Mariah Carey's music has seemed to morph from sleek ballads (think "Vision of Love") to dance-inspired, adult-friendly pop (think "Make It Happen") to hip-hop-infused tracks (think "Butterfly"). Whatever your favorite, the superstar combines all the flavors of her diverse career on E=MC2, a generous fusion of weepy ballads, urban dance tracks, and radio-friendly, mid-tempo love songs.

While the album's combination of musical styles is largely satisfying, it still plays it a little safe, not fully exhausting Mimi's five-octave vocal chops that have made her one of the best-selling performers of all-time. You can hear it on goseply "I Wish You Well." Other notables include the attitudinal anthem, "I'm That Chick" (if you listen closely, you'll notice a little bit of Michael Jackson's Off The Wall), the hip-hop beat of "Touch My Body," and the pulsating vibe of "O.O.C." After a career of ups and downs, it appears Mariah Carey's meteoric rise to the top of the charts once again was no accident.

Released on: April 15, 2008
Label: Island
Genre: Pop