New Beginning

Released in April 1996, New Beginning served as a pivotal second chapter for SWV (Sisters With Voices), moving them away from the Teddy Riley-influenced New Jack Swing of their debut toward a more 'organic' R&B sound. The album is historically significant for featuring some of the earliest production work by Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo (The Neptunes), specifically on the hit 'Use Your Heart'. While Coko remains the primary lead, the album sees increased vocal contributions from Taj, notably on 'It's All About U'. The project was a commercial success, certified Platinum, and solidified the trio's reputation as one of the premier vocal groups of the decade. Critics praised the group's ability to evolve their sound without losing the 'street' edge that made them popular, noting that the vocal arrangements here are among the most complex in 90s pop-R&B.