The Return of Beyonce 2

Beyoncé is the fifth studio album by the American singer and songwriter Beyoncé. A visual album, it was surprise-released on December 13, 2013, through Parkwood Entertainment and Columbia Records. The songs and videos were recorded in secrecy for the unexpected release. Beyoncé initially worked with various producers and songwriters, inviting them to live in her mansion for a month in mid-2012. After a disruption caused by touring, Beyoncé resumed work in early 2013 and experimented with styles outside contemporary R&B. The result is an electro-R&B record with elements of alternative R&B, electronic, and soul. Its textured, ambient soundscape is characterized by heavy bass, percussion, and synthesizers. Beyoncé's desire to assert full artistic autonomy influenced the album's dark, personal lyrics, which address sexuality and monogamy from a feminist perspective. Upon release, Beyoncé broke the record for the fastest-selling album in the history of the iTunes Store. It debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 and has been certified six-times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America. The album also reached number one in Australia, Canada, Croatia, the Netherlands, and Poland. Five songs were released as singles: "Blow", "XO", "Drunk in Love", "Partition", and "Pretty Hurts"; "Drunk in Love" reached number two on the US Billboard Hot 100. The album was reissued as the Platinum Edition on November 24, 2014, and was supported by the Mrs. Carter Show World Tour and the Jay-Z co-headlining On the Run Tour. Beyoncé received universal critical acclaim for its experimental production, Beyoncé's vocals, and its exploration of sexuality; various critics consider it her magnum opus. At the 57th Annual Grammy Awards in 2015, it won Best Surround Sound Album, and "Drunk in Love" won Best R&B Song and Best R&B Performance. Often considered one of the greatest albums of all time, Beyoncé has been credited with popularizing the contemporary visual album, and its surprise release prompted the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry to change Global Release Day from Tuesday to Friday.