Beyoncé has done it again.
The singer surprised fans and critics with the release of her fifth studio album and first visual album on Friday, which features 14 new songs and 17 videos. The 32-year-old diva, who managed to keep the album a secret, said the idea was to release the music in a new way, in order to connect with fans more directly.
"I didn't want to release my music the way I've done it," the Grammy winner said. "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."
After announcing her album, it immediately became available on iTunes, "skipping the advance publicity, critics' reviews and other marketing strategies that usually follows with an artist new work."
According to Billboard, Beyoncé reportedly sold over 80,000 copies in just three hours after the "closing sales window ended Friday at midnight."
"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," Beyonce said. .
The 14 tracks include collaborations with Jay Z, Drake, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Kelly Rowland, Timbaland, Justin Timberlake, Pharrell Williams, The-Dream, Sia, Ryan Tedder, Miguel, Hit Boy, Ammo, Boots, Detail, Jake Nava and Frank Ocean. Beyoncé's new album comes in just as the singer wraps up her year-long concert series.
The singer's first visual album and contains videos filmed in Houston, New York, Paris, Sydney and Rio de Janeiro.
"I see music," Beyoncé said 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 double disc CD/DVD will be available for the holidays.
