Photo Credit: Tegan and Sara

Last night, Tegan and Sara stopped by The Tonight Show with Jay Leno to perform current single, “Closer,” off new album Heartthrob. The sister act tweeted a photo of their entire band dressed in “Pinks and Reds” prior to the episode airing in support of marriage equality. The set was also lit with a pink and red hue as Tegan and Sara rocked out.

Watch Tegan and Sara perform “Closer” after the jump. Note: entire show embedded, skip to 37 minute mark.

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Tegan and Sara stopped by 89.3 The Current to perform a more stripped down version of lead single “Closer” off their seventh studio album Heartthrob. The single recently got immortalized by Glee, which you can watch here.

According to a recent tweet by Tegan, the next single for the U.S. will be “I Was a Fool,” and the music video, which was shot in LA, is promised to have “lots of firsts” for the pair. Cryptic indeed.

Check out Tegan and Sara perform “Closer” after the jump and be sure to read all of our past coverage of the sister duo here.

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Photo Credit: NPR via Dan Monick

With just over a week until its official release, The Idler Wheel… by Fiona Apple is now streaming in its entirety at NPR. This is the moment Fiona Apple fans have been waiting well over seven years for. New music. And although a handful of songs have made their way online since her first performance at SXSW, it’s remarkable that the entire album has stayed under wraps for so long.

The Idler Wheel… album stream comes just hours after the singer debuted her official music video for lead single “Every Single Night” exclusively on the Sundance Channel. It’s going to be a good day.

Get your first listen of Fiona Apple’s The Idler Wheel… now at NPR. We’re too excited.

Photo Credit: Christian Lantry via NPR.com

Seems a bit backwards to kick-off a new year by looking to the past, but we just couldn’t help ourselves after hearing The Little Willies latest effort, For The Good Times, now streaming in its entirety on NPR.

The four friends — Lee Alexander, Jim Campilongo, Richard Julian, and of course Norah Jones put their own spin on a dozen country classics from some of the greats including Loretta Lynn, Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, Willie Nelson, and Dolly Parton to name a few.

The Little Willies’ dig deep to pull from some of the saddest songs ever written — needless to say, they had me at the initial harmony between Jones and Julian on album opener “I Worship You.” The album is titled after the Kristofferson tune, which also appears three-quarters way through the record and features the stunning Norah Jones smokey rasp in all of her broken-hearted glory.

Get your first listen of The Little Willies’ For The Good Times now, in all its entirety on NPR. The album officially hits stores and digital retailers on January 10th. Fingers crossed this comes on vinyl!!

Photo Credit: Bjork.com

Björk’s highly anticipated new album, Biophilia (Oct. 11) is streaming in its entirety courtesy of NPR. And while I’ve never been much of a fan of her music (not surprising to Millah) – I can appreciate the art behind it, so it’s only fair we mention your chance to get a first listen to Biophilia now. Here’s a sampling of what NPR had to say about Björk’s latest project – read the full story here. While you’re there, stream the album and let us know what you think — something tells me I’m going to need a glass of wine (or two) to get into it.

“There’s much to unpack with Biophilia; it takes many listens to grasp what’s happening. For many, Björk’s music can be strange and challenging, and it might not connect with everyone. But it’s hard to deny her admirable and inspiring devotion to pushing the envelope musically. Björk is such an odd, elusive iconoclast that you truly never know what she’ll try next. As always, that’s part of the joy here.”

NPR’s World Cafe is all about music discovery. The show has made a name for itself over the last two decades as an authority for introducing new music and artists. This month, World Cafe celebrates its 20th anniversary by giving you the opportunity to download a sampler featuring 20 free songs from the next wave of up-and-coming artists/bands.

All the songs have been handpicked by the minds behind World Cafe, who seem to have a knack for predicting who will make it big. Bragging rights: World Cafe Next alumni include Fleet Foxes, St. Vincent, Dawes, and Peter Bjorn & John.

Visit NPR to download the entire sampler and read about the individual tracks. Among the featured artists are: Carter Tanton, Pink Skull, Cannon Blue, Superhuman Happiness, Jonathan Wilson, Alabama Shakes, Zola Jesus, and more.

Photo Credit: NPR.org

If you haven’t caught on by now — we’re BIG fans of NPR Music — especially as of late with their advance album streams. Today, NPR is bringing you full album streams from Ryan Adams, DJ Shadow, and Zola Jesus as part of its “First Listen” series.

In collaboration with Member station WFUV, NPR Music presents the return of the prolific Ryan Adams after a two-year break from recording. Adams seems to be in a calmer mood post-hiatus, releasing what may be his sparest, mellowest record to date in Ashes & Fire. Adams gets a little help from his friends including his wife Mandy Moore, Norah Jones and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. Listen to Ryan Adams’ Ashes & Fire in its entirety now.

DJ Shadow: After establishing himself as an innovator in instrumental hip-hop and electronic music early in his career, Josh “Shadow” Davis experimented with a variety of solo projects, dynamic collaborations and commercial ventures before releasing his upcoming fourth album. Describing The Less You Know, The Better as “a return to form,” the artist showcases his ability to master everything from Brit-rock and heavy metal to acoustic styles. Check out the full album stream of The Less You Know, The Better courtesy of KCRW at NPR Music now.

Zola Jesus: With Midwestern roots and 10 years of opera training, singer-songwriter Nika Roza Danilova has the capacity to capture audiences with her unmistakable voice and musical range. Listen to her new album Conatus now.

Thanks, NPR! You really are an amazing organization.

I don’t know about you, but I have been waiting for this day for quite some time: Cults‘ debut LP is now streaming in its entirety at NPR. HUZZAH.

Now, I’ve only listened through once (I know, busy Monday at work!), but I love it as much as I thought I would. Not only do I love the way Cults reinvents the sunny Girl Group vocal melodies with layered 60s grooves, and how they sometimes sneak 90s indie rock standards in there, but the fact that it’s a male-female duo who never really planned on making it big is just the icing on the cake. They’re easily this years Sleigh Bells, as far as being hyped and ability-to-live-up-to-said-hype goes, not to mention creating big sound from just a duo. And, judging by this first listen, they’re debut LP will also not disappoint.

So far – other than the songs I’ve scooped on weekly Millah Mixes – the standout tracks are the sinister-sounding “Bad Things”, and album closer “Rave On”. But really, they’re all great. So check out Cults‘ debut LP streaming now in its entirety at NPR.

Cee-Lo Green teams up with NPR for an exclusive stream of his upcoming album, The Lady Killer, which hits stores next Tuesday, November 9th.

The crooner is an unlikely star who has managed to sidestep the industry’s stereotypical male lead thanks in part to his unique voice, killer hooks, and chameleon tendencies. Lest we forget, Cee-Lo emerged from the down South rap group in Goodie Mob, before hitting mainstream success with break-out song “Crazy” with eclectic duo Gnarls Barkley.

For his next character he channels a soul-drenched lady’s man. Songs range from the in your face “F*ck You,” and “Satisfied” with throwback big brassy sounds to the more subtly seductive R&B classic in “Bodies.” Granted, Cee-Lo’s latest album isn’t for everyone — it’s for those of us who still enjoy full-fledged singing with a nod to old-school Motown and real instrumentation.

Be sure to visit NPR to hear The Lady Killer stream in its entirety before November 9th rolls around.

business casual cover art

Chromeo, the duo of Patrick Gemayel (a.k.a. P-Thugg) and David Macklovitch (a.k.a. Dave 1), are ready to unleash their latest creation, Business Casual, on the world on September 14th. But if you’re impatient like we are, you can stream the album in its entirety now on NPR.

This time the duo takes a more sophisticated approach to their cheeky electro-funk style thanks to a mix of slickly produced pop numbers, richer synths, and additional instrumentation. By now you’re well acquainted with Chromeo’s lead single “Don’t Turn the Lights On” as well as various remixes and the album opener “Hot Mess” is yet another catchy, dance-floor number that follows suit along with “I’m Not Contagious” and “When the Night Falls.”

Surprisingly enough, Chromeo reel-in their goofiness for the French lament “J’ai Claque la Porte” which features some good ol’ guitar picking from Dave 1 alongside the familiar drum machines. Though, for me, the retro-pop ditty “Grow Up” has to be the album’s stand out song – just give it a listen and you’ll agree.

Head on over to NPR now to listen to Business Casual until the album officially hits on September 14th.