Beyoncé (often stylized in all caps) is the fifth studio album by American singer Beyoncé. It was released in the early hours of December 13, 2013, through Parkwood Entertainment and Columbia Records as a complete surprise. Developed as a visual album, every song is accompanied by a non-linear short film that illustrates the musical concepts conceived during production. Beyoncé's desire to assert her full artistic freedom served as inspiration for the album's dark, personal subject matter, which incorporated feminist themes of sex, monogamy, beauty standards, relationship problems and criticism of capitalism. It was released on a Friday, which defied the Tuesday release that was standard at the time. Beyoncé and its release is frequently credited with inventing the modern definition of the visual album, popularizing the surprise album release strategy, and provoking the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry to change the day of the week when music is released worldwide from Tuesday to Friday.