Beyonce released her fifth studio album on iTunes without ANY promotion or prior warning on Thursday

She is known as an Independent Woman, and when it comes to her music it seems Beyonce Knowles really does like to do things her own way.

On Thursday, after almost a year of speculation over the release of her fifth album, the 32-year-old singer rush released her latest studio effort on iTunes with no promotion or prior warning to her fans.

In a surprise and game-changing move, the album comes complete with seventeen videos already filmed for each track.

Surprise! Beyonce released her fifth studio album on iTunes without ANY promotion or prior warning on Thursday

In an accompanying statement, the 32-year-old entertainer spoke about her decision to create a what she is calling a 'visual album'.
'I see music. It’s more than just what I hear.' she revealed.
'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.'
Collaborations on the 'exclusive visual album' include appearances from husband Jay Z, former band mates Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams, Frank Ocean, Pharrell Williams, Justin Timberlake, Drake and even her baby daughter Blue Ivy.
Interestingly, previously leaked tracks Grown Woman and Standing in the Sun did not make the final cut of the album.
More traditional release campaigns recently demonstrated by the likes of Katy Perry, Lady Gaga and Britney Spears see months of hype, single releases and 'buzz' tracks released to radio stations.

Album artwork: The sleeve of the set on iTunes features a plain black background with the singer's name emblazoned in pink across it

Game-changing: Unlike Britney Spears, Katy Perry and Lady Gaga who have all embarked on pre-planned album campaigns prior to a release date, Beyonce dropped her album with no prior warning

Risque: Beyonce has created 17 different looks for videos that accompany the tracks of the album

There are also advertising campaigns, promotional trails including endless television appearances and performances at award shows.

But Beyonce seems to have skipped all of that.

Instead, the mother-of-one has been hard at work on her world tour The Mrs Carter Show, and joining her husband Jay Z on a special vegan diet until Christmas.

However, the singer has clearly also been secretly beavering away in the studio finishing what will surely be considered as her most surprising effort to date.
A statement explained: 'That the album is available on the day the world is learning about its release is an unprecedented strategic move by the artist to deliver music and visual content directly to her fans when she wants to and how she wants to, with no filter.'
'I didn’t want to release my music the way I’ve done it,' Beyonce states.  '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.'

Grown woman: Beyonce reveals her toned physique in another sexy still from a video

Bikini babe: Beyonce shows off her body in another video - Blue - from her brand new self-titled album

'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 rush-release of the album also means that music critics will not have time to give their verdict, be it good or bad.

Britney Spears has seen her latest effort Britney Jean suffer in the charts which can't have been helped by the scathing reviews it has received.