Brad Mehldau's latest album, Highway Rider, is out now. The New York Times examines this "impressive" album and the pairing of Mehldau and producer Jon Brion. Given the success of their previous project, Largo, says the Times, this brings with it "a certain expectation, one that Highway Rider meets more than halfway." The Financial Times says: "Mehldau, with his trust in his own experience, came through in spades, pulling his musical influences into orchestrated coherence, and communicating the fun he had in doing it." The Times (UK) gives four stars to this "inspired set."

Nonesuch Records and PS Classics will release the cast album of Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler's A Little Night Music on April 6, 2010; the album is now available for pre-order in the Nonesuch Store. Starring Catherine Zeta-Jones, Angela Lansbury, and Alexander Hanson, the Trevor Nunn-production is the first revival of the show since its 1973 debut. The limited number of posters signed by the principals sold out as soon as they were made available this morning.

The Black Keys are set to release their sixth full-length album, Brothers, May 18 on Nonesuch Records. The band recorded the bulk of the album at Alabama's legendary Muscle Shoals Sound Studio with additional sessions at Dan Auerbach’s Easy Eye Sound System in Akron and The Bunker in Brooklyn. The Black Keys will support Brothers with a tour that includes a sold out performance at Central Park’s SummerStage in New York in July.

Leave Your Sleep, Natalie Merchant's first studio album since 2003, is due out April 13 on Nonesuch Records and is now available for pre-order. This release is the culmination of six years of research and collaboration and is, in her words, “The most elaborate project I have ever completed or even imagined.” In a Nonesuch Store exclusive, the first 500 orders are available with a limited-edition, signed print of Merchant. [Update: These prints are no longer available.]

Ali Farka Touré and Toumani Diabaté's second and final album together, Ali and Toumani, is out now. The Los Angeles Times calls it "an early contender for the warmest, most life-affirming listen of 2010." The Globe and Mail gives it four stars, hearing a "musical state of grace." The Philadelphia Daily News gives the album an A, calling it "a thing of gossamer beauty ... haunting, genteel, intricate and magical." The Lexington Herald-Leader says it showcases "the hushed, rootsy spiritualism of two pioneers who fashioned the majestic music of West Africa for the world."

Out now is Ali and Toumani, the second and last album pairing Ali Farka Touré and Toumani Diabaté. NPR's All Songs Considered calls it "breathtaking." The Philadelphia Inquirer gives it four stars, calling it a "moving, peerlessly beautiful album." The New Jersey Star-Ledger says there is "a timeless depth, a gentle profundity" to it. "It’s irresistible." Dusted calls it "timeless" and "transcendent." Popdose says: "You’ll feel it speak to you on a level few pieces of music ever reach."

Nonesuch Records will release Natalie Merchant’s new album, Leave Your Sleep, on April 12 (April 13 in the US). The album is the culmination of six years of research and collaboration and is, in Merchant’s words, “The most elaborate project I have ever completed or even imagined.” It is her first studio album since 2003 and her first for Nonesuch. To coincide with the release, she has announced a European tour in May–her first in eight years–including seven dates in the UK.

The Low Anthem will release a special limited-edition vinyl 7-inch of its single "Charlie Darwin" on March 2 [now March 23], featuring "Charlie Darwin," off the band's Nonesuch debut, Oh My God, Charlie Darwin, and two staples from the band's live show, the previously unreleased "Sally Where'd You Get Your Liquor From" and "Don't Let Nobody Turn You Around." The band is preparing for its first headlining tour and will hit this year's SXSW and Sasquatch festivals. Before that, the band will support The Avett Brothers for ten dates.

Vinicio Capossela, one of Italy’s most celebrated and best-selling artists, releases his latest album, The Story-Faced Man, now available digitally from the Nonesuch Store. This compendium offers American audiences an introduction to the music of the man described by the Sunday Times as "Italy’s greatest rock star" and by Mojo as "Italy’s most intriguing musical traveler." Renowned for concerts that fuse rock, theatre, and performance art, Capossela brings the show to North America for one week in March.

The Carolina Chocolate Drops' Nonesuch debut, Genuine Negro Jig, is in stores around the world today, not least the Nonesuch Store, where CD orders include an instant download of the album with seven exclusive bonus tracks recorded live. The band was featured on NPR's All Things Considered yesterday, discussing and performing three tunes off the new album. The US tour begins next week.

As all of Brazil celebrates Carnival today, Nonesuch marks the occasion by introducing Caetano Veloso's 41st album, zii e zie, now available for pre-order in the Nonesuch Store. Released last year in South America and Europe, the album earned a 2009 Latin Grammy for Best Singer-Songwriter Album and four stars from The Guardian and The Times (UK), which declared, “The Brazilian master remains in a league of his own.” Veloso tours the US this April.

Last night, k.d. lang made Olympic magic when she performed the classic Leonard Cohen tune "Hallelujah" at the Opening Ceremonies of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver. The Vancouver Sun said k.d. "reminded the world that she is one of the best in the business, with a stirring, spiritual rendition of Leonard Cohen's 'Hallelujah' that literally hushed the crowd." You can re-live the moment by picking up your own copy of the "Hallelujah" EP at the iTunes Store.