Beyonce Proves Why She Is The Reigning Queen , Album Crashes Itunes For The First Time In History

Beyonce's latest surprise was apparently too much for iTunes to handle.

The pop diva released her new, self-titled album overnight without warning exclusively on the music site. The excitement was enough to crash iTunes temporarily as fans caught word of the release via Twitter and rushed to download the album.

Beyonce's people issued a press release stating that the sudden release of the album was an attempt to thwart off leaks.

The Full album

The release is being marketing as a "visual album" that features 14 tracks and 17 videos. For now, it can only be downloaded as a full-album. Individual tracks will be made available on Dec. 20For all its length (16 tracks) and elaborate staging (with videos for every song), the album has a focus and intensity unusual in multi-writer ensemble productions, a sense of purposefulness that holds the attention even when the songs sometimes drift off in search of a chorus. Or maybe it’s just a classic case of distraction, with Beyoncé shaking her assets on screen every time the attention wanders.

It almost goes without saying that the singing is great. Beyoncé is one of the most technically gifted vocalists in pop, with gospel power, hip-hop flow and a huge range. What’s unusual is the restraint she exhibits here, letting melodies unfurl over subdued beats, and holding back from vocal pyrotechnics in ways that increase rather than release tension.

On the outstanding track Superpower (composed with Frank Ocean and the ubiquitous producer Pharell Williams), the way her low, supple vocal is suddenly coloured by multi-tracked Destiny’s Child-style harmonies is fabulous.