Natalie Merchant's new, self-titled album was released earlier this week to great critical acclaim. The New York Times describes the album as "a set of dark, brave, thoughtful and serenely startling songs." NPR's All Things Considered says: "This record gives full rein to Natalie Merchant's voice, which is stronger than ever, especially in her magnificent lower register." A USA Today feature finds Merchant "driven by the same sense of empathy that has always motivated her." Refinery29 says the new album marks "the return of one of music’s most illustrious voices." 

The Black Keys will embark on an extensive North American tour this fall. The tour begins September 5 in Columbus, Ohio, and runs through December, with dates at Toronto’s Air Canada Centre, Brooklyn’s Barclays Center and Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, among others. Ticket pre-sale begins Tuesday, May 13, for Citi® card members and with pre-orders of The Black Keys' new album, Turn Blue, in the Nonesuch Store and the band's site. General on-sale begins Friday, May 16.

Iron and Wine kicks off a spring and summer US tour at the Shaky Knees Music Festival in Atlanta on Sunday, followed by first-week stops in Knoxville with Wild Belle, Louisville and Memphis with All Dogs, and Gulf Shores for the Hangout Music Festival Kickoff Party. The tour continues in the weeks and months ahead with stops throughout the country.

Natalie Merchant’s new self-titled album, her first of entirely original songs in 13 years, is out now on Nonesuch Records. "Merchant creates a rich musical tapestry that transcends the typical vagary of pop music," raves the Associated Press. The Daily Telegraph gives the album a perfect five stars, naming it Album of the Week: "There is something quietly magnificent about her vocal presence." The Sunday Express says the album is "brimming with wit, insight and compassion." Merchant "is in terrific form," says the Times of London. "It is Merchant’s mature, versatile voice that steals the show."

Conor Oberst has announced several additional tour dates for this fall, including concerts in Boulder, Austin, Dallas, Seattle, Portland, and more. He will also co-headline the Greek Theatre in LA with John Prine on October 5. Oberst will perform on NBC’s The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on May 19, the release date for his new album, Upside Down Mountain, and CBS This Morning: Saturday on May 24. He will perform at Rough Trade NYC in Brooklyn on May 20.

The cast recording of David Byrne’s Here Lies Love is out now on Nonesuch Records. The recording features music by David Byrne and Fatboy Slim as performed by the original 2013 Public Theater cast of the Here Lies Love musical starring Ruthie Ann Miles and Jose Llana as Imelda and Ferdinand Marcos. The cast recording features seven new songs written specifically for the musical. CDs include a 80-page full color book with lyrics, an introduction by Public Theater director Oskar Eustis, and two essays by Byrne. Here Lies Love "will leave you walking on air," raves the Daily News. "The return makes the musical-theater scene beam brighter and smarter with contagious joy."

Jonny Greenwood will join in on the debut screenings of Paul Thomas Anderson’s There Will Be Blood with Greenwood's score performed live: with the London Contemporary Orchestra at the Roundhouse in London, August 6 and 7, and the Wordless Music Orchestra at the United Palace Theatre in NYC, September 19 and 20. Greenwood will play the ondes Martenot part of the score. He performs Steve Reich's Electric Counterpoint at Barbican Hall on May 18 as part of the Barbican's celebraton of Nonesuch Records' 50th anniversary.

The new album with John Adams's City Noir (2009) and the debut recording of his 2012 Saxophone Concerto is out now in North America, with an international release to follow May 19. Both pieces are performed by the St. Louis Symphony led by David Robertson, featuring saxophonist Timothy McAllister. City Noir, inspired by Los Angeles "noir" films of the 1940s and '50s, "is riveting," says the New York Times. Adams composed his Saxophone Concerto for McAllister, whom he calls "a fearless musician and risk taker," after McAllister's performance of the sax solo part in City Noir.

Nickel Creek's video for "Destination," off their new album, A Dotted Line, received its world premiere via NPR Music's "First Watch" feature. The video was directed by Eli Cane of Normal Life Pictures and shot in New York City during release week for A Dotted Line. You can watch the video here.

The Black Keys' new album, Turn Blue, is out next Tuesday, May 13, on Nonesuch Records. But you don’t need to wait till then to hear it: the album is streaming in full all this week on iTunes as a First Play. Click here to hear the complete album now. The band will return to Saturday Night Live for their third musical guest appearance this coming Saturday, May 10.

Congratulations to the cast and crew of Here Lies Love, the musical featuring music by David Byrne and Fatboy Slim, which took home five Lucille Lortel Awards for Outstanding Achievement Off-Broadway last night, including Alex Timbers for Outstanding Director and Ruthie Ann Miles for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical. The company took home the most awards at last night's ceremony. Nonesuch Records releases the original cast recording this week.

Devendra Banhart and Rokia Traoré kick off the Barbican's month-long celebration of Nonesuch at 50 ... The Black Keys are on Later ... with Jools Holland, perform for Radio Eins in Berlin ... Bombino is in Austin ... David Byrne, Joshua Redman celebrate William Onyeabor at BAM ... Jeremy Denk joins São Paulo Symphony ... Dr. John is fêted in an all-star tribute concert including Allen Toussaint ... Kronos Quartet performs in Poland ... Pat Metheny Unity Group tours Scandinavia ... Nickel Creek takes tour to DC ...