Beyoncé is the fifth studio album by American recording artist Beyoncé , released on December 13, 2013 by Parkwood Entertainment and Columbia Records. Described as a visual album, Beyoncé developed a simultaneous audio/visual experience with non-linear short films accompanying its songs to illustrate the stories she had conceived during its composition.

Beyoncé's themes were identified as postfeminist and much darker than previous recordings including sex, fear, loss and the insecurities of marriage and motherhood.

Beyoncé described the unconventional atmosphere, saying:

"We had dinners with the producers every day, like a family... it was like a camp. Weekends off. You could go and jump in the pool and ride bikes... the ocean and grass and sunshine... it was really a safe place."