Surprise! Beyoncé Drops New Self-titled Album On iTunes

 

Beyoncé dropped her fourth solo album in the early hours of Friday December 13th 2013 with no advance word whatsoever. The self-titled album features a whopping 31 tracks, 14 of which are new songs, including collaborations with big name artists like hubby Jay Z, gal-pals Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams, Drake,Frank Ocean, Pharrell Williams, Justin Timberlake and her baby girl Blue Ivy—just to name a few.

Beyoncé explains the album, her first since 2011′s 4, in a four-minute video posted on her Facebook page.

“I see music,” she says. “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.”Recalling listening to Michael Jackson’s Thriller LP as a child with her family, she hints at designs on both reviving and reinventing the album as a format. “I miss that immersive experience,” she continues. “Now people only listen to a few seconds of  song on the iPods and they don’t really invest in the whole experience. It’s all about the single, and the hype. It’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.”