Beyoncé has released her fifth solo album today exclusively on iTunes. It arrives without any marketing build-up or teaser campaign from her record label Sony.

The self-titled release is billed as the artist’s 'first visual album', containing 14 new songs and 17 videos.

“I see music,” said the US star.  “It’s more than just what I hear.  When I’m connected to something, I immediately see a visual or a series of images that are tied to a feeling or an ...