The Beyhive is in full effect as superstar, model, singer, actress and above all positive role model Beyoncé rolls out her new surprise album. She hit the ground hard and in full force with a heartfelt message to the fans and the shocking announcement of 14 videos to accompany the 14 new tracks on the self titled album Beyoncé.

“I didn’t want to release my music the way I’ve done it,” she said. “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.”

She presents the record as a gift to her fans and most of her fans see it as nothing less than a gift.

The album itself, like the greater majority of the videos, is exotic and bold. The singer sounds better, or at the very least, as good as she has ever sounded. The album is filled with music that is just as sexy as the lyrics but still keeps it classy as we all expect Beyoncé to be.

This album also picks up on the newer trend of bringing back the 80’s synthpop sound and mixing it with todays R&B. This new sound has been widely successful for artists like Drake on his last album, which was fantastic, and the sound is followed up well on Beyoncé.

The experience kicks off with Pretty Hurts. An interesting first track. Pretty hurts talks about pageant life and a little girl growing up made to believe that looks are all that matters. Something we certainly hear often in mass media. The song states “But you can't fix what you can't see, It’s the soul that needs the surgery” The song is emotional and strong and a bold choice for an opening track but reminds us why Beyoncé is a positive role model, especially when pop music appears to lack such role models in this day. Beyoncé sets herself apart from the rest.

As the rest of the album plays out with a similar, chill and haunting sound Beyoncé goes on to talk about motherhood, marriage, sexuality, self-empowerment and the record industry as a whole beautifully tied together with music taking influence from wide variety of musicians including Prince and David Bowie. One of her most interesting and best projects to date and defiantly worth the listen.

This album lacks a big pop club banger, with the exception of Grown Woman, a bonus video with a vibe much different than the album, but the album is intimate, intelligent, sexy, bold and a nice experience.

I have never been known as a Beyoncé fan, and still don’t consider myself one, but this album goes above and beyond pop into just good music.

As R&B musician Choklate mention on her twitter feed, “Beyoncé said "sssssshhhhhhhhh, take notes baby..." to the enTIRE game last night at midnite. She'ont take that "Queen" title lightly at’tall”

I don’t think there’s any better way to say it.