Thanks to Bill Wyman at Slate and Jay Caspian Kang at Grantland for the two most thoughtful, engaged pieces we’ve read about Amy Winehouse this week. And Amy, we thank you for what you had to offer.

I first saw this video about a week ago and meant to post it immediately; it’s unbelievably pleasing. Sesame Street meets the Beastie Boys–what’s not to like? Luckily I haven’t forgotten about it, mostly because my son Hank asks to watch it every morning: “Cookie Monster Dance? Cookie Monster Dance?”

Ry Cooder is near the top of our all-time-faves list and we are so excited to share this new tune from his forthcoming Pull Up Some Dust and Sit Down which hits the street on August 30.

We dig the Bay Area band The Heavenly States and their clever, melodic wordplay. Check out “Berlin Wall” with Spoon’s Britt Daniel on vox!