In an unprecedented move,
Beyonce quietly released her fifth studio album to iTunes on Friday.
“Surprise!” tweeted Bey moments after the midnight launch.
The visual album, simply titled
BEYONCE, features 14 songs and 17 videos, with contributions from Jay Z, Blue Ivy, Timbaland, Justin Timberlake, Pharrell, Drake, The-Dream, Sia, Ryan Tedder, Miguel, Frank Ocean, Hit-Boy, Ammo, Boots, and Detail. The album follows the same path as her 2006 release
B'Day, offering an eclectic mix of genres for her Bey Hive.
“I see music,” said Beyonce about her decision to create a visual album. “It’s more than just what I hear. When I’m connected to something, I immediately see a visual or a series of images that are tied to a feeling or an emotion, a memory from my childhood, thoughts about life, my dreams or my fantasies. And they’re all connected to the music.”
The videos were shot throughout the world in New York, Paris, Sydney, and Rio de Janeiro during her worldwide “Mrs. Carter Show World Tour.”
“I didn’t want to release my music the way I’ve done it,” explained Bey. “I am bored with that. I feel like I am able to speak directly to my fans. There’s so much that gets between the 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 surprise release was a strategic move done to prevent leaks. Manufacturing of physical copies begins today and the double disc CD/DVD will be available in stores in time for the holidays.
She started recording the album a year-and-a-half ago. The initial process began in the summer of 2012 after the writers and producers gathered under one roof in The Hamptons to live together, work together, and immerse themselves in Bey’s world.
She has also premiered the first part of Self-Titled, a mini documentary feature that offers a glimpse into the entire project. It details her mind-set and artistic vision throughout the making of
BEYONCÉ.
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Yoncé" Like her rap song "Diva," gives the superstar another opportunity to satisfy her hip hop muse and look pretty for the camera as seen in the teaser below:
Finally something exciting in the world of music for 2013!
Head to iTunes to get your copy for $15.99. Individual songs will be available for purchase on December 20. Watch 30-second teasers for all 17 music videos from the album, after the break!
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Grown Woman" (Bonus Video) Beyoncé wins for the magical footage of baby Bey and Kelly Rowland singing the lyrics to this song. The video shows their evolution over the years and settles on modern day Mrs. Carter dancing to the song's Afro-Cuban rhythms.
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Ghost" Beyoncé vents on this moody, electronic track. While she complains about not trusting "these record labels," she quips, "Soul not for sale. Probably won't make no money off this. Oh well. Reap what you sow." In the accompanying video, she's dressed in black -- even blackface in some scenes -- and dances against flickering lights.
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Heaven" The serene tribute to a dearly-departed friend is depicted with a emotional clip of good times shared (tattoos, wedding, hiking) and Beyoncé paying her respects.
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Superpower" feat. Frank Ocean Frank Ocean and Beyoncé sound great together on this strong ballad about unbreakable love. The video revisits the post-apocalyptic theme of "Run the World (Girls)," as the queen and a few pretty cool surprise cameos faceoff with the militaristic regime.
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Flawless" feat. Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche We heard "Flawless" earlier this year. Previously called "Bow Down," it was the first leaked track from "Beyoncé." The chime-ridden melody accompanied by a driving, hefty bass groove set the tone for the star to reprimand her childhood nemeses. The video shows footage of Girls Tyme, an early incarnation of Destiny's Child, competing and losing on the "Star Search" talent competition. After the intro clip, Beyoncé parties in a dilapidated space channeling a scene from "Fight Club." The visual turns slow-motion for a pro-girl PSA from Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche.
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XO" This straight-ahead pop record is Katy Perry-cute with an amusement park-themed video.
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Mine" feat. Drake This begins as another soft, introspective track. Beyoncé's airy vocals address taking things too far as a lyrical dance routine unfolds, but the pace picks up as Drake joins in with a hypnotic, hip hop chant.
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Rocket" It's only fitting that this sensual ode to making love would find inspiration from Prince and D'Angelo. The video sets the mood with 4-and-a-half minutes of Beyoncé's sensual poses.
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Jealous" A vulnerable Beyoncé admits to insecurities in this mid-tempo ballad. In the short, she allows jealously to consume her until she can regain her composure.
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Partition" According to this song, behind the partition in a chauffeured car is a good place for an impromptu rendezvous. Beyoncé is at her raunchiest, dropping a reference to Monica Lewinsky that will surely get noticed on the sexy, smooth hip hop banger. In the video, though, Beyoncé is determined to maintain her man's interest, treating Jay Z to private dances and flashing ample thong-shots for camera.
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No Angel" Beyoncé pays big homage to H-Town (that's Houston, Texas) with this grinding, slow jam featuring in-the-video cameos from the city's finest rappers Bun B, Paul Wall, Slim Thug, Z-Ro, Kirko Bangz, Trae that Truth, Chad Jr., and Geto Boys members Scarface, and Willie D.
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Blow" Beyoncé takes it back to the 1970s with this adult-themed, fun and funky roller-skating jam with a video to match.
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Drunk In Love" This booming, southern crunkfest is more outrageous than Rihanna and Chris Brown's sexually explicit "Birthday Cake" collab and Kanye West and Kim Kardashian's naughty motorcycle "Bound 2" video. Beyoncé frolics on the beach as she sings about how liquor gets her in the mood, and Jay Z loves it, describing in (too much?) detail a breakfast make-out session with his wife.
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Haunted" Bey sings with slurred, sultry vocals over a dark, progressive drum and bass track. The lyrics seem to imply a haunting sensual relationship with someone she calls a "ghost in the sheets." Illuminati theorists will love picking this video apart as its theme is based on Beyoncé checking into a hotel occupied by the spirits of dead people.
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Pretty Hurts" In this traditional Beyoncé ballad, she sings about the pressures and insecurities associated with being "pretty." The pageant-theme video shows the beauty contestants behind-the-scenes, fighting, being criticized about their weight, battling anorexia, getting Botox injections, and spray-on tans.
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Blue" feat. Blue Ivy Yes, the song in which she sings "hold onto me Blue" to her daughter is super sweet, as is the video that captures them enjoying the company of the locals in Rio de Janeiro. But the best part comes near the end when the precious toddler says, "Hold onto me," and offers her best pronunciation of Beyoncé.
