Wilco Releases Surprise New Album 'Star Wars'

Wilco, beloved indie-rock band, released an unannounced album for free online  on Thursday night. (Yet more evidence of the magical powers of Beyonce, who paved the way with surprise album releases ).

 The 11-song "Star Wars" record is the first since 2011's "The Whole Love," and Wilco's ninth studio album. The compilation "Alpha Mike Foxtrot: Rare Tracks 1994 - 2014 " was released last year.

"Star Wars" is available as a free download for a limited time for those who sign up for a newsletter on the band's website .  It will be released in physical formats including CD and vinyl at a later date.

The surprise release comes a day before Wilco performs at the Pitchfork Music Festival  in the band's hometown of Chicago.

Wilco features the prolific singer and songwriter Jeff Tweedy, guitarist Nels Cline, bassist John Stirratt, multi-instrumentalist Pat Sansone, keyboardist Mikael Jorgensen, and drummer Glenn Kotche. After vaulting to fame with 2002's "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot," the band has toured tirelessly and picked up several awards. In addition to their work together as Wilco, many of the members are involved in other musical projects as well.

But it is Wilco that has endeared itself in the hearts of rock fans around world, fans who have been waiting far too long for a new offering from the band. But the guys made up for the wait with this one:

Free + Star Wars + cat album art = You cannot lose.

Download the album "Star Wars" from Wilco here ... While you can!