2013 was the year that Beyoncé Knowles stole Christmas. Seriously.

At midnight on Friday, December 13, 2013, Knowles released her self-titled album on a surprise whim. Not only did it include 14 new songs, but 17 music videos, as well.

According to iTunes, her album is described as “an endeavor [with a] provocative, unguarded artistic statement.”

Spencer Pechart, A&E writer, and Amber Krause, Fashion writer, both are avid fans of Knowles and her music. First, let’s discuss the messages that linger within her new album:

Pechart: The album contains several positive messages, detailing things such as Knowles’ life and her journey as an artist. In her one song, “***Flawless,” she has self-empowering lyrics like “I took some time to live my life / But don’t think I’m just his little wife.”

“***Flawless” is Knowles’ self-reflecting while also containing honest and thought-provoking sentiments directed towards feminism. The reasoning with the three stars in the title is because when she was younger, she participated in a music competition and only won three stars. Another interesting component to the song is Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, an African-American author, who is sampled on the track with one of her speeches about feminism.

On another interesting note, each song on the album has a corresponding music video. A personal favorite is the video to “Pretty Hurts,” which features Knowles at a beauty pageant and scenes where she smashes awards. The main message of the song is that beauty exists inside and out, and Knowles emphasizes this with lyrics like, “It’s the soul that needs the surgery.” The video also reminds its viewers that Knowles has been competing in a materialistic world since her childhood.

Krause: Knowles’ albums usually consist of fast upbeat songs, but her newest album takes a turn to the slow side. Though her album does consist of some fast songs like “Drunk In Love,” Yoncé/Partition,” “***Flawless,” and “Blow,” the other ten songs take a more deeper and subtle approach. Knowles focuses on her self and the challenges she has gone through in her life. In the song “Mine (feat. Drake),” she talks about the issues she faces while being both a parent and wife. Though everyone goes through hardships she exemplifies the love for her family when she says “I just want to say you’re mine all mine. All I’m really asking for is you.”

Pechart: Knowles’ daughter, Blue Ivy, provided vocals for the album’s swan song, “Blue.” In this song, Knowles details about the relationship between herself and her daughter, with heartwarming lyrics like “Each day I feel so blessed to be looking at you / ‘Cause when you open your eyes, I feel alive.” Knowles shares a close relationship with her daughter, and it is evident that family is important to her.

Krause: Not only does the love for Blue show in her brilliant album, but the love for her husband of six years does as well. Aside from the couple songs portraying the affection of her children, the rest exemplifies how in love she is with Mr. Hova (Jay-Z). In her lyrics to “XO,” the love is shown when she says, “Your heart is glowing, and I’m crashing into you, baby kiss me, before they turn the lights out.”

Pechart: One of the album’s saddening tracks is “Heaven,” which fans have speculated is about Knowles’ miscarriage, and she revealed this to the press in January 2013.

“About two years ago, I was pregnant for the first time,” Knowles said in an interview with the DailyMail. “And I heard the heartbeat, which was the most beautiful music in my life, [and when] I flew back to New York to get my check up, [there was] no heartbeat.”

Krause: Her song “Grown Woman,” just like her album, portrays the branching of new developments. Knowles, who usually talks about the liberation of women (like in “Pretty Hurts” or “***Flawless”) showcases her new beginnings and self-empowerment. With lyrics like “I’m a grown woman, I can do whatever I want,” shows a new side of the Queen B.

The video includes both Kelly Rowland and herself show how much they have changed and become the women they are today. Taking videos from their childhood and singing the lyrics to the song helps keep the viewers glued to the screen.

Pechart: In spite of a new, experimental edge to her music, Knowles stays true to the songs that made her famous. Her songs “Blow,” “Partition,” and “Rocket” are in her typical fashion and deliver to her fans. “Partition” is a pulsating song that comes alive with synthesizers, and features lyrics like “I sneezed on the beat and the beat got sicker.”

Knowles does not disappoint in her 2013 follow-up to 2011’s 4, and this album certainly shows her range.