Emotions is the second studio album by American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey. It was released on September 17, 1991, by Columbia Records. Emotions is a synthesized R&B and dance-pop album featuring piano, keyboards, and electric guitar, with influences from soul, jazz, gospel, and disco music. Its lyrics explore love and heartbreak and, to a lesser extent, perseverance and grief. The songs range from upbeat dance tracks to slow, sentimental ballads.