Beyoncé’s self-titled album was released in 2013 without advance announcement.
Columbia Records released Beyoncé digitally on December 13, 2013, with no traditional promotional campaign or preceding lead single. Beyoncé described the project as a visual album because every song was accompanied by a music video, allowing listeners to experience the music and imagery together.
The surprise release changed expectations for how major artists could launch albums. It appeared on the iTunes Store at midnight and quickly generated global attention. The album included “Drunk in Love,” “Partition,” “Flawless,” and “XO.”
The album is often confused with Lemonade, another Beyoncé project known for its visual presentation and cultural impact. Lemonade arrived in 2016 and was released with a different rollout. Beyoncé’s 2013 album is identified simply by her name and is her fifth studio album.