Beyoncé (album)
| Beyoncé | |||||
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| Studio album by Beyoncé | |||||
| Released | December 13, 2013 | ||||
| Recorded | 2012–13 | ||||
| Studio |
Various
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| Genre | Alternative R&B | ||||
| Length | 66:35 | ||||
| Label | |||||
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| Beyoncé chronology | |||||
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| Beyoncé studio album chronology | |||||
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| Singles from Beyoncé | |||||
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| Professional ratings | |
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| Aggregate scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| AnyDecentMusic? | 8.1/10 |
| Metacritic | 85/100 |
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   |
| The Daily Telegraph |  |
| Entertainment Weekly | A− |
| The Guardian | |
| Los Angeles Times | |
| NME | 8/10 |
| Pitchfork | 8.8/10 |
| Rolling Stone | |
| Spin | 9/10 |
| The Times | |
Beyoncé is the fifth studio album by American singer Beyoncé, released on December 13, 2013, by Parkwood Entertainment and Columbia Records. Developed as a simultaneous audio-visual medium, Beyoncé's songs are accompanied by non-linear short films that illustrate the musical concepts conceived during production. Its dark, intimate subject material includes feminist themes of sex, monogamous love and relationship issues, inspired by Beyoncé's desire to assert her full creative freedom.
The album's initial recording began in New York, where Beyoncé invited producers and songwriters to live with her for a month. During extensive touring the following year, the album changed as she conceived of creating a visual accompaniment to its songs and resumed recording sessions with electronic producer and rock musician Boots. Their collaboration led to more sonically experimental material, which combined contemporary R&B with electronic and soul music. Throughout this period, the album's songs and videos were composed in strict secrecy as Beyoncé devised an unexpected release.
Beyoncé was released digitally to the iTunes Store without prior announcement or promotion. It debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200, earning Beyoncé her fifth consecutive number-one album in the country. The record sold 617,000 copies in the US, and 828,773 copies worldwide in its first three days of availability, becoming the fastest-selling album in the history of the iTunes Store, before being surpassed by Adele's 25 in 2015. It was reissued in November 2014 as part of a platinum edition, along with an extended play of new songs. It received acclaim from critics, who praised its production, exploration of sexuality and Beyoncé's vocals. It has sold 5 million copies worldwide as of November 2014, and has spawned the singles "XO", "Drunk in Love", "Partition" and "Pretty Hurts".
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