New York (AFP) – American singer Beyonce surprised her fans Friday by releasing her previously unannounced fifth solo album on iTunes.

The self-titled album has 14 new songs and 17 videos and is available exclusively through the Apple online music store, her record label said in a statement.

“I didn’t want to release my music the way I’ve done it (in the past),” Beyonce said in the statement.

“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.”

Her label, Sony, said the surprise, Internet-only release was also a way of stopping pre-release leaks of her new material.

A hard copy, double CD/DVD of the album will be available in stores before Christmas, it said.

Collaborators on the new album include Timbaland, Justin Timberlake, Pharell Williams, Drake, and Beyonce’s husband, Jay Z.