by Annie Vischer
This morning seemed like a normal morning. My alarm went at 7am. I snoozed it. My alarm went at 7.30am. I hopped out of bed. (Yes, I’m a morning person, I hopped, hate me later). After I had readied myself for work and sat down to my breakfast, I did my own little version of reading the morning papers, I took a quick glance at Twitter, and my oh my, what news I was greeted with. Now, OK, we’re not talking political milestones or royal engagements, but in the entertainment world? This is a big’un. Queen B herself, Beyoncé, has released a brand new album onto iTunes. The launch was neither announced or even anticipated. There was no build-up or prior press reviews. The album hit iTunes with not only 14 new songs, but 17 new videos to boot.
The videos that feature on the album are shot around the world from Houston to New York City, to Paris, Sydney and Rio de Janeiro, all before the album’s release. How the paps didn’t get hold of that, we will never know. Apparently when you are the superpower that is Beyoncé, you can tell people to hop it and they will.
Beyoncé has said of her decision to create a visual album through the videos ‘I see music. It’s more than just what I hear. When I’m connecting 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.’
Beyoncé released the album without any warning represents a move by her to bring her fans and her music as close together as possible. Where in most cases, the press and critics enjoy a preview of any new music, meaning that the public’s first taste of anything new is the opinion of those who have had a sneak peak before them. This time round Beyoncé has ensured that the fans are afforded the privilege of the first hearing that they deserve. ‘I didn’t want to release my music the way I’ve done it’, she stated, ‘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.’
The album titled simply BEYONCÉ and is available globally and exclusively on iTunes here, with a CD due to be released before Christmas.
…and yes we have already downloaded it. Obviously.