Mariah Carey has released a 30th anniversary edition of her album ‘Daydream’, featuring previously unheard recordings from her private writing sessions.
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The 33-track digital edition arrived yesterday (July 17), combining the original album with unreleased material, rare B-sides, remixes, acapellas and live performances.
Most notably, the collection also marks the first time Carey has agreed to release excerpts from her private writing sessions for ‘I Am Free’, which she made with Walter Afanasieff, as well as the Babyface collaboration ‘Melt Away’.
Announcing the release on social media, Carey reflected on the making of the original record, writing: “This album marked an era of firsts for me: my first rap collaboration on the iconic ‘Fantasy’ remix with O.D.B., my first time working with JD, my first world tour, my first time directing a music video on my own, and so many more.
“It’s only fitting to include some ‘firsts’ on this anniversary edition too! Most notably, this is the first time I’ve ever agreed (or rather, been convinced) to release my private writing sessions for ‘I Am Free’ (with Walter A.) and ‘Melt Away’ (with Babyface).
“I hope you enjoy this lil’ glimpse into the making of these songs, along with remixes, live performances, acapellas, and b-sides.”
The expanded edition also features the Ol’ Dirty Bastard-assisted remix of ‘Fantasy’, the version of ‘Always Be My Baby’ featuring Da Brat and Xscape, and the B-sides ‘Slipping Away’ and ‘One Night’.
Physical versions will be released on October 16, including 3LP, two-CD and cassette editions. The vinyl collection will feature Carey’s full 1995 Madison Square Garden concert for the first time, while a limited-edition pink vinyl pressing of the original album will also be available. Pre-order your copy here.
Carey is also set to premiere a previously unseen ‘Making Of Fantasy’ featurette on her YouTube channel on Monday (July 20), offering behind-the-scenes footage from the music video, which she directed herself.
‘Daydream’ was originally released in October 1995 as Carey’s fifth studio album and included the singles ‘Fantasy’, ‘Always Be My Baby’ and ‘One Sweet Day’, her collaboration with Boyz II Men.
Carey also secretly worked on an alternative rock album during the ‘Daydream’ sessions, which was eventually released under the band name Chick as ‘Someone’s Ugly Daughter’, although her own lead-vocal version remains unreleased.
Earlier this year, Foo Fighters and The Pretty Reckless’ Taylor Momsen joined forces to cover two tracks from the project, ‘Love Is A Scam’ and ‘Demented’, at the MusiCares Person Of The Year benefit honouring Carey in Los Angeles.
In other news, Carey was among the nominees for the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame’s class of 2026, alongside Oasis, Iron Maiden, Sade and Joy Division/New Order, although she did not make the final list of inductees.
She was also awarded over $90,000 in December after a judge dismissed a copyright lawsuit relating to ‘All I Want For Christmas Is You’. Country singer Andy Stone had been seeking at least $20million in damages, claiming that Carey’s song infringed his 1989 track of the same name.
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