Sad and Beautiful World

Sad and Beautiful World is the fourteenth solo studio album by American R&B and gospel singer Mavis Staples. The album was released on November 7, 2025, via Anti-, to digital download, streaming, CD, and LP formats. It was produced by Brad Cook and features songwriting credits from Allison Russell, Andrew Hozier-Byrne, Curtis Mayfield, David Rawlings, Eddie Hinton, Frank Ocean, Gillian Welch, Jack Rhodes, Malay, Kathleen Brennan, Kevin Morby, Leonard Cohen, Mark Linkous, Red Hayes, and Tom Waits. The album is comprised almost exclusively of covers, and features songs by artists including Mayfield, Hinton, Ocean, Welch, Morby, Cohen, Waits, Sparklehorse, and Porter Wagoner.

Sad and Beautiful World was supported by the releases of four singles, "Godspeed" on June 10, 2025, "Beautiful Strangers" on August 26, 2025, "Sad and Beautiful World" on September 30, 2025, and "Human Mind" on November 3, 2025. "Human Mind" peaked at number 20 on the Billboard Adult Alternative Airplay chart and number 10 on the Gospel Digital Song Sales chart. The album was also supported by a tour of the United States, which began in late 2025 and lasted until early 2026.

Sad and Beautiful World was praised by critics, many of whom appreciated the album's production style and emotional impact. It appeared on several year-end lists of 2025, and the songs "Beautiful Strangers" and "Godspeed" each received awards at the 2026 Grammy Awards. The album was commercially successful, debuting in the top-50 on multiple charts, both in the United States and internationally. In the United States, the album debuted at number 46 on the Billboard Top Current Album Sales chart, number 2 on the Top Blues Albums chart, and number 5 on the Top Gospel Albums chart. It also received notable attention in the United Kingdom.