Bjork releases new album 'Vulnicura' early

NEW YORK, Jan. 20 (UPI) -- Björk has released new album Vulnicura two months early.

The 49-year-old singer announced the news Tuesday after the record leaked online over the weekend. Vulnicura is Björk's first album since Biophilia (2011), and will be made available over the next 24 hours.

"I guess I found in my lap one year into writing it a complete heartbreak album," she wrote of the record on Facebook. "First I was worried it would be too self-indulgent but then I felt it might make it even more universal, and hopefully the songs could be a help, a crutch to others."

Björk collaborated with Kanye West and FKA twigs producer Arca on Vulnicura, and co-wrote songs with Arca and Mark Flynn. The album was intended for release in March, and features nine tracks, including "Stonemilker" and "Atom Dance" featuring Antony Hegarty.

Björk will kick off a residency at Carnegie Hall on March 7, and appear at City Center in March and April. The singer will perform with Arca at Carnegie Hall and the City Center matinee shows, and is also scheduled June 5-7 at the 2015 Governors Ball.