Beyoncé’s self-titled visual album, released in 2013 without prior announcement, is titled Beyoncé.
The album was released digitally through the iTunes Store on December 13, 2013. Beyoncé announced it through a video posted on Instagram, and the surprise release immediately drew attention because listeners had not received the usual advance campaign of singles and promotional appearances.
Beyoncé contains 14 songs and was accompanied by 17 short films, making it a visual album rather than a standard audio release with separate promotional videos. The project explores love, sexuality, motherhood, feminism, and artistic control. Its songs include “Drunk in Love,” “Partition,” and “Flawless.”
The release changed expectations for how major albums could reach audiences. It debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and made Beyoncé the first woman to have her first five studio albums debut at number one in the United States. It is distinct from her 2016 visual album Lemonade.