Beyonce has surprised her fans by releasing her previously unannounced fifth solo album on iTunes.
The self-titled album from the American singer has 14 new songs and 17 videos and is available exclusively through the Apple online music store, her record label said on Friday in a statement.
"I didn't want to release my music the way I've done it (in the past)," Beyonce said in the statement.
"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."
Her label, Sony, said the surprise, internet-only release was also a way of stopping pre-release leaks of her new material.
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A hard copy, double CD/DVD of the album will be available in stores before Christmas, it said.
Collaborators on the new album include Timbaland, Justin Timberlake, Pharell Williams, Drake, and Beyonce's husband, Jay Z.
