New Beginning
Tracy Chapman · 1995
64 min · 12 tracks · alternative rock
A blend of introspective folk and blues-infused melodies, exploring themes of resilience and personal growth.
Top tracks — play these first
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Give Me One Reason — This track stands out as a powerful blues anthem, featuring soulful guitar riffs and a compelling narrative about yearning and vulnerability.
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New Beginning — The title track encapsulates themes of hope and renewal, with Chapman’s evocative vocals layered over rich instrumentation that invites reflection.
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The Rape of the World — This song tackles heavy social issues with striking imagery and emotional weight, showcasing Chapman's commitment to addressing global injustices through her art.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album balances introspective songwriting with accessible production, showcasing Chapman's growth while maintaining her distinct voice.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a mid-tempo track that sets a reflective tone, followed by a shift to more upbeat songs like 'Give Me One Reason' which contrasts the overall mood.
- Several tracks feature layered instrumentation, particularly in the choruses, creating a fuller sound that enhances the emotional weight of the lyrics.
- The last three tracks slow down significantly, allowing for a contemplative close that emphasizes themes of resilience and personal growth.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- long, immersive listening sessions
- steady, consistent energy levels
- dynamic emotional journeys
- reflective and introspective moments
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1995, New Beginning was Tracy Chapman's fourth studio album, following her acclaimed album Matters of the Heart from 1992. At this point in her career, Chapman was navigating a shift towards more commercially accessible sounds while retaining her poignant lyrical style, showcasing her evolution as an artist.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Ani DiFranco· Joan Armatrading· Mary Chapin Carpenter
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Heaven's Here on Earth 5:23
- 2 New Beginning 5:33
- 3 Smoke and Ashes 6:39
- 4 Cold Feet 5:40
- 5 At This Point in My Life 5:09
- 6 The Promise 5:28
- 7 The Rape of the World 7:10
- 8 Tell It Like It Is 6:05
- 9 Give Me One Reason 4:31
- 10 Remember the Tinman 5:45
- 11 I'm Ready 4:56
- 12 Save a Place for Me 1:48
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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