1. Tay Zonday feat. Weezer’s Brian Bell, “Pork and Beans†(Weezer cover)
The honey-voiced YouTube lothario sics his golden vocals on the one not-bad track from Weezer’s new album, rendering it several million times better. [Stereogum]
2. Lil Wayne feat. Jay-Z, “Mr. Carterâ€
Jay and Wayne shouldn’t have needed a reason to collaborate on this excellent track from Carter III, but they found one anyway (they both have the same last name). [Pretty Much Amazing]
3. Ray Lamontagne, “Let It Be Me†(live)
Lamontagne’s third album is due in September, and if this new song (recorded live last week) is any indication, it will sound pretty much like his second album: okay. [Fuel Friends]
4. Coldplay, “Lovers in Japan/Reign of Loveâ€
Based on all leaked evidence, Coldplay’s upcoming album, Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends, might just be their best yet — possibly even good enough that we might admit to liking it, in confidence, to one or two of our closest friends, if they swore to secrecy, maybe. [Cold Cut]
5. The Raconteurs, “Old Enough†(live on Conan)
Jack White momentarily cedes the spotlight to co–front man Brendan Benson, surprising Conan’s cameraman so much that he spends most of the performance watching the auxiliary violin player. [Music Slut]