"New Beginning" is the fourth studio album by singer-songwriter Tracy Chapman, released in 1995. It became her biggest-selling album since her 1991 debut, with 3.8 million copies sold according to Nielsen Soundscan and 5 million copies shipped in the U.S. according to the RIAA.
The album continues Chapman's signature acoustic folk-rock sound but features a mix of slow, low-key tunes alongside a few upbeat tracks. A standout is the hit "Give Me One Reason," a blues song that earned Chapman a Grammy Award for Best Rock Song and several other nominations, including Record of the Year and Song of the Year at the 1997 Grammy Awards. While "Give Me One Reason" was a commercial success, most of the album's songs are longer than 4:56 minutes, showcasing Chapman's focus on deeper, more introspective compositions.
A track called "Unsung Psalm" was initially written for the album but was ultimately cut and later released on her 2000 album Telling Stories. Notably, the "New Beginning" single was the first disc to feature a sticker with system requirements for multi-media footage, a new feature at the time.
The album's use of a didgeridoo on the title track stirred controversy, as the instrument is traditionally taboo for women to play in many Aboriginal cultures. The album also saw Chapman working with backup singers, a departure from the more solitary sound of her earlier records.
