Mariah Carey is making sure that her Lambs are well-fed this week. First, the veteran diva gave us the title, cover and release date for her upcoming album Here For It All in grand fashion. She’s also been hinting at the set’s next single with snippets of what the song’s hook sounds like. Now, the singer is delivering on all the teasing she’s been doing on socials with her new single “Sugar Sweet,” which features dancehall star Shenseea and R&B singer Kehlani.
“Sugar Sweet” finds Mariah experimenting with a slightly dancehall vibe, something we haven’t heard the elusive chanteuse do much of in her 35-year career. Produced by HARV and Mariah herself, the cut sways with a sound that’s heavy on programmed drums and light, airy synths. It works with the singer’s breathy delivery and serves to highlight the contributions of the song’s guests.
Mariah kicks things off on the opening verse by singing about how her man turns her on and why she wants to put it on him. And she assures him that she’ll use her expertise as she delivers the earworm-y hook, singing, “I’ma keep it nice, nice, nеat, neat, sugar, sugar, sweet, sweet.”
Kehlani joins the fun with a much freakier verse, offering to “ride it from the passenger side” to provide the sugar and spice that you’re craving. Shenseea also sets things off with her verse, giving us a sugar high as she sings, “Me will keep it nice, l’ma keep it sweet / And I’m full of sugar, come get a rush from me / I got what you like, what you wanna beat / When me give you, don’t go chatting like a parakeet, ooh.”
Like Here For It All lead single “Type Dangerous,” “Sugar Sweet” isn’t touching the best of Mariah’s catalog. But it’s a fun confection that we’re willing to bet you won’t be able to get out of your head for a while. Allow Mariah Carey, Shenseea and Kehlani to sweeten up your day by listening to “Sugar Sweet” when you press play below.
