Beyoncé has done it again. Always eager to push the envelope, the 32-year-old singer released her self-titled fifth studio album without any notice. “Beyoncé,” a visual album, includes 14 tracks and 17 music videos. The album includes collaborations and production from Jay-Z (“Drunk In Love”), Drake (“Mine”), Frank Ocean (“Superpower”), Blue Ivy — yes, her daughter, Timbaland, The-Dream, Pharrell Williams, Justin Timberlake and the list goes on.
For the visual side of the album, Beyoncé recruited Melina Matsoukas, Hype Williams, Terry Richardson, Ricky Saiz, Pierre Debusschere, Jonas Akerlund, @lilinternet and Jake Nava, among others.
“I see music,” says Beyoncé 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.”
Some may question why Bey didn’t implement a traditional marketing campaign for her album but she has her reasons. “I didn’t want to release my music the way I’ve done it,” she says. “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 “Grown Woman” singer is expected to release two radio singles next week for different formats.
“Beyonce” is available exclusively on iTunes until Friday, December 20. Physical copies of the album is expected to go on sale on Saturday, December 20.
Head to iTunes now and support the new era of Beyoncé.
Tracklisting
Beyoncé – Beyoncé (Tracklisting):
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 Adichie
12. “Superpower” feat. Frank Ocean
13. “Heaven”
14. “Blue” feat. Blue Ivy
15. “Pretty Hurts” [Video]
16. “Ghost” [Video]
17. “Haunted” [Video]
18. “Drunk in Love” feat. Jay Z [Video]
19. “Blow” [Video]
20. “No Angel” [Video]
21. “Yoncé” [Video]
22. “Partition” [Video]
23. “Jealous” [Video]
24. “Rocket” [Video]
25. “Mine” feat. Drake [Video]
26. “XO” [Video]
27. “***Flawless” feat. Chimamanda [Video]
28. “Superpower” feat. Frank Ocean [Video]
29. “Heaven” [Video]
30. “Blue” feat. Blue Ivy [Video]
31. “Grown Woman” [Bonus Video]
32. Credits [Video]
“Blow”
“Drunk In Love” featuring Jay Z
“Superpower” featuring Frank Ocean
“Mine” featuring Drake
“Rocket”
“Flawless” featuring Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
“Pretty Hurts”
“Partition”
“No Angel”
“Jealous”
“Heaven”
“Haunted”
“Grown Woman”
“Ghost”
“XO”
“Yoncé”
“Blue” featuring Blue Ivy
