Mariah Carey is set to follow Beyonce's example and shock-release her new album without any warning to fans.

But, unlike the Drunk in Love singer, who released her self-titled 2013 album without any fanfare at all, Carey has alerted fans to the imminent release in a new Billboard magazine expose.

The Hero singer says, "I have to be the one that announces this, especially the title," revealing it was inspired by a "personal possession of mine that's part of an entity that I've had almost all my life".

Carey adds, "You would think I would be all about the singles-driven situation, and I am in a way, but with this particular album I want my fans to hear it as a body of work. This is my life since we last left off."

Kid Cudi and Neil Young have also released surprise albums this year (14).