MGMT have been forced to stream their new album 'Congratulations' after it leaked online.

The album, which was due to be released on April 12, appeared on various file-sharing websites at the weekend.

It can now be heard in full in a player on the group's official website.

In a statement, the band revealed that they initially wanted to give the record away for free following the leak, but their request was turned down.

“Hey everybody, the album leaked, and we wanted you to be able to hear it from us,” MGMT said.

“We wanted to offer it as a free download but that didn't make sense to anyone but us.”

MGMT previewed 'Congratulations', their follow-up to 2007's 'Oracular Spectacular', at a gig in London last week.

(by Jason Gregory)