Mariah Carey's '#Beautiful' review: Spot-on collaboration

Judge Mariah Carey greets the audience at the "American Idol"... — Judge Mariah Carey greets the audience at the "American Idol" finale at the Nokia Theatre at L.A. Live in Los Angeles. (May 16, 2013) Credit: AP

By GLENN GAMBOAglenn.gamboa@newsday.comMay 20, 2013

Mariah Carey has always been smart about landing the right collaborators at the right time -- from Boyz II Men to Jay-Z to, yes, Nicki Minaj. For her new single "#Beautiful" (Island Def Jam), she nabs Miguel to co-write and co-produce with her, feeding into the alt-R&B vibe that Miguel and Bruno Mars are currently riding. Despite the awkward title, "#Beautiful" is sleek and timely, floating by on breathy vocals and subdued, but still funky, guitars. Oh, baby, baby, they belong together.