Beyonce Shocks The World With Surprise Release Of New Fifth Album
13 December 2013, 07:57 | Updated: 13 December 2013, 09:00
The singer's record features all-star team-ups with the likes of husband Jay-Z, Frank Ocean and even daughter Blue Ivy.
Beyonce has shocked the world after releasing her new fifth album last night (12th December).
Fans have been eagerly awaiting new music from Queen Bey all year, and she surprised everyone with the unannounced release of the self-titled record on iTunes shortly before midnight.
The exclusive "visual album" features collaborations with Frank Ocean as well as husband Jay-Z and daughter Blue Ivy Carter.
Her record is the first since 2011's '4' and features 14-songs – each of which have been accompanied by a video.
There's also bonus videos for the likes of 'Grown Woman' – the promotional single used during her Pepsi campaign.
30-second previews of all the tracks have also been posted on her official YouTube channel to give fans a taste of what to expect.
Beyonce explains the new album:
"I see music, it's more than what I hear," she said in a statement video posted on her Facebook account to surround the release of the surprise album.
Explaining the choice to release visuals along with all the songs, she added: "I didn't want to release my music the way I've done it.
"I'm bored with that. I feel like I am able to speak directly to my fans. There's so much that gets between music, the artist and the fans. I felt like I didn't want anybody to give the message when my record is coming out. I just want this to come out when it's ready and from me to my fans."
The tracklisting for the album is as follows:
- 1. 'Pretty Hurts'
- 2. 'Haunted'
- 3. 'Drunk in Love' (feat. Jay Z)
- 4. 'Blow'
- 5. 'No Angel'
- 6. 'Partition'
- 7. 'Jealous'
- 8. Rocket'
- 9. 'Mine' (feat. Drake)
- 10. 'XO'
- 11. '***Flawless' (feat. Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche)
- 12. 'Superpower' (feat. Frank Ocean)
- 13. 'Heaven'
- 14. 'Blue' (feat. Blue Ivy)
A physical release is expected to coincide with the holidays with a CD and DVD release.
"I just want to give my album to the people I love and respect and hope that they feel the same thing I felt when I made the music," she added.
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