Beyonce Releases Self-Titled 'Visual Album' Without Warning On ITunes

As the minutes were about to take us into Friday, 13 December, music fans across the globe were treated to an unexpected yet highly anticipated surprise. Just before midnight (EST) Beyonce released her all-new, fifth studio album on to iTunes, completely without warning.

Ready or not, Queen Bey is back!

The self-titled release, her first since 2011's 4, became available to download on Thursday night without any prior marketing or anouncements from the star of her PR. The release is more that your traditional album though, as Bey has designated it as a "visual album," with each track coming with it's own video.

The fourteen song collection features four collaborations, with her husband Jay Z appearing on the duet 'Drunk In Love,' Drake shows up on 'Mine' and Frank Ocean sings with Bey on 'Superpower.' 'Blue' is listed as featuring the singer's daughter with Jay Z, Blue Ivy. There are some notable absentees on the tracklist, with the Pepsi promotional single 'Grown Woman' nowhere to be seen. The H&M commercial-featuring 'Standing on the Sun,' co-penned by the hotly-tipped Sia, is also nowhere to be found on the 'visual album.'

The album is expected to appear exclusively on iTunes for the next week, before it is made available of retail release on Saturday, December 21, according to sources speaking with Billboard. With no 'Grown Woman' or 'Standing on the Sun' available, two official singles are expected to be announced as the lead singles next week, with the singles being released on differing formats.

The song from Beyonce's H&M campaign doesn't appear on the album either

Next page: what does Beyonce have to say and her UK tour

"I see music," Beyonce proclaimed in a video announcing the album's release via her Facebook page. She goes on to say in the video, called Self-Titled, Part 1, "It’s more than just what I hear. When I’m connected to something, I immediately see a visual or a series of images that are tied to a feeling or an emotion, a memory from my childhood, thoughts about life, my dreams or my fantasies. And they’re all connected to the music.”

Beyonce had kept quiet about any potential new album until the midnight release, however her recently announced string of UK tour dates had begun to raise a number of eyebrows. An interview with Columbia chief Rob Stringer had also raised speculation when he confirmed Bey was working on her new album, but he too failed to give any specifics.

Beginning in February 2014, Queen Bey will kick off her UK and Ireland tour on 20 February, performing at the SSE Hydro Arena in Glasgow, before heading to Birmingham, Manchester and then London for a four night stay at the O2 in London. She will then make the trip over to the Irish capital for a three night stint at the O2 in Dublin. The tickets for Beyonce's upcoming shows will go on sale on Monday, 16 December at 10am. Check out the full dates below.

Beyonce will bring her live show to the UK next year

Mrs Carter World Tour - 2014 UK dates

February 20 - SSE Hydro Arena, Glasgow

Feb. 23 - LG Arena, Birmingham

Feb. 25 - Manchester Arena, Manchester

Feb. 28 - The O2, London

March 1 - The O2, London

March 2 - The O2, London

March 4 - The O2, London

March 8 - The O2, Dublin

March 9 - The O2, Dublin

March 11 - The O2, Dublin