Beyonce unexpectedly releases new album on iTunes

NEW YORK, Dec. 13 (UPI) -- U.S. pop star Beyonce has unexpectedly released a 14-song album, her fifth studio set, exclusively on iTunes.

"Beyonce," which also includes 17 videos, went on sale early Friday without any advance notice.

"I didn't want to release my music the way I've done it," the singer said in a statement Friday. "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."

"For an artist who has been the target of leaks, this is a fully designed preventative plan. The album will be offered as a cohesive body of work with every song and every video available all at once for one single purchase," Parkwood Entertainment/Columbia Records said in a news release. "While not a concept album, the record is designed to be consumed as a comprehensive audio/visual piece from top to bottom. The antithesis of making singles, the visual album is a non-linear journey through the thoughts and visions of Beyonce. Manufacturing of physical albums begins today and the double disc CD/DVD will be available at retail in time for the holidays."

The album includes collaborations with Beyonce's husband Jay Z, as well as artists like Timbaland, Justin Timberlake, Pharrell Williams, Drake, The Dream, Sia, Ryan Tedder, Miguel, Frank Ocean, Hit Boy, Ammo, Boots, Detail, Jake Nava, Hype Williams, Terry Richardson, Melina Matsoukas, Jonas Akerlund, Ricky Saiz, Pierre Debusschere, @lilinternet, Noah "40" Shebib, Francesco Carrozzini, Caroline Polachek, Ed Burke, Bill Kirstein and Todd Tourso.