Which Beyoncé album was released as a surprise in 2013?

Beyoncé’s self-titled album was released as a surprise in 2013.

Beyoncé arrived on the iTunes Store on December 13, 2013, without the usual advance promotional campaign. Beyoncé described it as a “visual album” because every song was accompanied by a music video. The project contained 14 songs and 17 videos, making its release both a musical and visual event.

The album’s songs included “Drunk in Love,” “Partition,” “Pretty Hurts,” and “Flawless.” Jay-Z appeared on “Drunk in Love,” while the album also included collaborations with Drake, Frank Ocean, and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. It debuted at number one in several countries, including the United States.

The release helped popularize the modern “surprise album” strategy. It is often confused with Lemonade, another Beyoncé visual project, but Lemonade was released in 2016 and was supported by a more traditional buildup around its premiere.