Afrobeat legend Tony Allen's new album, Secret Agent, has been featured on NPR's All Songs Considered. The album comes from "the man who helped create Afrobeat with Fela Kuti," says NPR's Robin Hilton. "Tony Allen is easily one of the most gifted and influential percussionists of all time. He turns 70 years old this year, and his new solo album shows that he has no intention of slowing down."

The Black Keys' new album, Brothers, due out May 18, is now available for pre-order as a limited-edition collectible hardbound book / deluxe edition of Brothers online only via the band’s newly redesigned website. The 56-page hardbound book includes never-before-seen live photos and an exclusive lithograph of the band. The Miami New Times previews the band's tour, saying: "Expect loud in all its dimensions, and expect a fathomless depth. Mostly, though, expect to be talking about this show throughout the rest of your life."

With just a few days to go before the April 13 North American release of Tony Allen's World Circuit / Nonesuch debut album, Secret Agent, The Fader is offering a free download of the track "Ijo," the dub version from reggae star Dennis Bovell. The Fader predicts that the soon-to-be-released album is "gonna be a killer at the BBQs this summer."

Here Lies Love, David Byrne's song-cycle collaboration with Fatboy Slim, is out now. Byrne discussed the project on the BBC World Service program The Strand, which calls it "wonderful"; it was also Album of the Day on BBC Radio 6 Music. Newsday gives the album an A-, calling it "an amazing piece of work" and "a thrilling success." The AP describes the album as "a magnificent sonic treat ... an epic, thrilling tale brimming with hair-raising harmonies, sumptuous beats and unexpected duets." It receives four stars from the Daily Mirror and Daily Express, which calls it "excitingly original."

Wilco's current tour, An Evening with Wilco, may be fully sold-out, but that doesn't mean you'll have to go without. Tune in to the band site for live webcasts of Tuesday's show from Boston and Wednesday's show from Concord, New Hampshire. Relix described the tour opener as "a spirited rock-and-roll blowout." You can also enjoy Wilco live via the forthcoming vinyl release of Kicking Television: Live in Chicago.

The Black Keys, due to release their sixth full-length album, Brothers, May 18 on Nonesuch, have added the album track "Tighten Up" to their MySpace page. The band reunited with producer Danger Mouse for this track and wrote, performed, and produced the rest of the album. Pitchfork notes "the soulful bounce of organ and guitar interplay" on the new tune. BBC Radio 1 says the song "adds a little sweet soul to their dynamic blues."

John Adams led the London Symphony Orchestra in the French premiere of his new piece, City Noir, Tuesday night at Salle Playel in Paris, part of the Domain privé John Adams series. Adams and the LSO had recently given the European premiere at London's Barbican Hall, which was broadcast on BBC Radio 3's Performance on 3 last night, now available online. The BBC called it "one of the season's most eagerly awaited concerts."

Here Lies Love, David Byrne's musical collaboration with Fatboy Slim on the life of Imelda Marcos, is due out from Todomundo and Nonesuch Records in just three weeks and is currently available for pre-order in the Nonesuch Store. The song cycle features a who's who of guest vocalists like Santigold; the video for her track, "Please Don't," is now on Boing Boing. Ride, Rise, Roar, a documentary look at Byrne's 2008-09 tour, premiered yesterday at SXSW.

The Low Anthem, fresh off a two-week tour with The Avett Brothers, kicks off its first US headlining tour with two shows in DC tonight: a free early show at the Kennedy Center's Millennium Stage, which will be webcast live, at 6 PM ET, and a later set at the 9:30 Club. The Washington Examiner says of the band's Nonesuch debut, Oh My God, Charlie Darwin, that "critics were rightfully awed by the elegant, intricate stylings of the songs." Spinner previews the band's upcoming SXSW stint, asserting that the album has "pushed the band to the forefront of the burgeoning indie-folk scene."

Brad Mehldau's Highway Rider is out now, with an exclusive bonus demo track included at the Nonesuch Store. Brad's official site, bradmehldau.com, has been relaunched with a new look and lots of new material. All About Jazz describes the new album, with "its almost perfect mix of form and freedom," as "the most fully realized original music the pianist has written to date ... Mehldau the composer has clearly arrived."

Buena Vista Social Club's leading lady, Omara Portuondo performs an intimate concert for NPR's Tiny Desk Concert series. "Her performance here of two classic boleros was enough to transport us to another time and place," says NPR. "Achingly tender and direct, her Tiny Desk Concert reflects the passion for life she instills in every performance." Portuondo will perform with fellow Buena Vista stars in New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles this summer.