T’was was a quiet Friday morning in December as the temperature was creeping below zero and then the digital world caught fire as Beyoncé shocked her fans and this thing we call the Internet with the release of her self-titled visual album.
Consider it an early Christmas present as it is the season of giving. After releasing 4 back in 2011, her fifth studio album is taking a unique approach as it is being called a visual album. The record features 14 new songs and 17 videos. That’s not a typo…Queen B dropped more material within an hour than many artists could in their lifetime.
The Houston native was somewhat tired of the standard approach and wanted to engage her fans in a way she’s never done before, by providing a visual connection to her music.
“I wanted people to hear the songs with the story that’s in my head…that vision in my brain is what I wanted people to experience the first time,” said Bey. “I remember seeing Thriller on a TV with my family. I miss that immersive experience…I wanted people to hear things differently and have a different first impression, not just listen to a 10 second clip but actually be able to see the whole vision of the album.”
The tracklist includes features from Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Frank Ocean, Drake, and those that she prepares dinner for, Blue Ivy, Jay Z. The visuals were filmed throughout the year in several locations including Houston, New York City, Paris, Sydney, and Rio de Janeiro.
Similar to what Hov did back in July where he released Magna Carta Holy Grail without a radio single and minimal marketing, the tactic came from Jay’s #newrules campaign. Fast forward five months and his wife extended it a step further by dropping a full length LP without any hint of its release.
Who run the world?
The album is available exclusively on itunes.
Check out the tracklist below:
BEYONCÉ SONG LIST
1. “Pretty Hurts”
2. “Haunted”
3. “Drunk in Love” (Featuring Jay Z)
4. “Blow/Cherry”
5. “No Angel”
6. “Yoncé/Partition”
7. “Jealous”
8. “Rocket”
9. “Mine” (Featuring Drake)
10. “XO”
11. “***Flawless” (Featuring Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie)
12. “Superpower” (Featuring Frank Ocean)
13. “Heaven”
14. “Blue” (Featuring Blue Ivy)
BEYONCÉ VIDEO LIST
1. “Pretty Hurts” – Directed by Melina Matsoukas
2. “Ghost” – Directed by Pierre Debusschere
3. “Haunted” – Directed by Jonas Akerlund
4. “Drunk in Love” – Directed by Hype Williams
5. “Blow” – Directed by Hype Williams
6. “No Angel” – Directed by @lilinternet
7. “Yoncé” – Directed by Ricky Saiz
8. “Partition” – Directed by Jake Nava
9. “Jealous” – Directed by Beyoncé, Francesco Carrozzini & Todd Tourso
10. “Rocket” – Directed by Beyoncé, Ed Burke & Bill Kirstein
11. “Mine” – Directed by Pierre Debusschere
12. “XO” – Directed by Terry Richardson
13. “***Flawless” – Directed by Jake Nava
14. “Superpower” – Directed by Jonas Akerlund
15. “Heaven” – Directed by Beyoncé & Todd Tourso
16. “Blue” – Directed by Beyoncé, Ed Burke & Bill Kirstein
17. “Grown Woman” – Directed by Jake Nava
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