1. Julian Casablancas Phrazes for the Young The Strokes frontman unexpectedly issues one of the best records of the year. Read our review here and listen here.

2. Say Anything Say Anything The uncommonly innovative emo-punk outfit gets boldly optimistic. Read our recent feature on the group here and listen here.

3. The King Khan & BBQ Show Invisible Girl The raw energy of a Khan show gets captured on disc yet again.

4. Cold Cave Love Comes Close A wider release comes for a synth-heavy buzz band. Listen here.

5. Weezer Raditude Will Weezer start to measure up to its first years anytime soon? If the Rainn Wilson–penned title of this record is any indication, no. But, hey, we’ll take a listen.

For more releases, see Largehearted Boy.

A new Julian Casablancas track surfaced here, called “River of Brakelights.” The Strokes frontman debuts his solo album, Phrazes for the Young, November 3. [Stereogum]

There’s no rain in Mika’s new video for “Rain,” here. [@arjanwrites]

The Flaming Lips will record a track-by-track cover album of Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon, which will include a few collaborations with Stardeath and the White Dwarfs, Peaches and more. [Paste]

U2 fans will be able to watch the band’s October 25 show in Pasadena, California, in real time on YouTube. [NME]

Rock Band goes mobile! [EA]

Download Echo and the Bunnymen’s “Life of 1,000 Crimes” for free here. The Fountain comes out November 10. [Paste]

And from the TONY desk:

Rev. Al Green showed some love to the crowd gathered at B.B. King Blues Club & Grill Friday. Check out our live photos and show recap here. [The Volume]

Layered instrumentation and intertwining melodies soared at the Sunset Rubdown show Friday. See our cool pics here. [The Volume]

See photos of Mika’s Friday show, where he emerged out of a space suit at United Palace, here. [The Volume]

The official version of Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance” hits the radio on Monday. She’s also confirmed for a cameo on Gossip Girl. [@cherrytreerec, Rolling Stone]

Julian Casablancas pushed back the release of his solo album, Phrases for the Young, to November 2. [NME]

Want to listen to the New Moon soundtrack? It’s streaming in its entirety here. [@newmoonsound]

Weezer wants to answer your questions. Click here to find out more. [@weezer]

The Flaming Lips played “Watching the Planets” on The Tonight Show. [The Music Slut]

DJ AM, or Adam Goldstein, pictured above, was found in his apartment with a crack pipe and prescription pills Friday, August 28. In the words of @diplo: “Dj am was the first guy that was a big deal that believed in me, and gave me props.” [Rolling Stone]

Noel Gallagher announced he’s quitting Oasis for good. It’s still hard to believe. [Spin]

The new Kanye-produced Jay-Z track, “Hate,” has had a mixed reception. Check it out for yourself here. [Fader]

The Strokes‘ Julian Casablancas presented his solo material from his upcoming LP Phrazes for the Young this weekend in Japan. Watch some audience-recorded footage here. [Pitchfork]

It’s reported that Thom Yorke will release a two-track 12-inch featuring “Apart by Horses” and “The Hollow Earth” September 22, and that he’ll play a set at the premiere for documentary The Age of Stupid on September 21, after a panel discussion with Kofi Annan and Gillian Anderson. [Stereogum, Paste]

From the TONY desk:
Watch footage of Jay-Z’s press conference presenting his upcoming 9/11 benefit at Madison Square Garden. [The Volume]

Check out a preview track here from the Darius Jones Trio, which will appear live on October 15 at Abrons Arts Center. [The Volume]

Yes, according to the Strokes singer’s publicists, Julian Casablancas is “readying his solo debut” (meaning, perhaps, that he’s giving it a deep muscle rub? or braiding its mane?). Phrazes for the Young drops this fall on Cult Records/RCA and features eight brand-new Casablancas songs, produced by Jason Lader with additional production by Mike Mogis. More excitingly, you can get a taster for the record below.

If this preview is any indication, the lead Stroke plans to up his game considerably with this venture: Dig the peculiar sci-fi visuals and cryptic, Godard-style slogans. And yes, there will be tour dates. At the ready! (It’s about time, considering that three of his four fellow Strokes have issued solo or side projects to date.)