Weekend Reading: Strokes, 'Lasers' and the Based God

New weekly feature: the articles you need to read

This might be hard to believe, but I'm not the only music writer on the Internets. Each week I'll compile the pieces I think are worth checking out. Check out the first batch:

• Noz, who has run one of rap's most vital blogs for years, breaks down the new Lil B x Phonte x Jean Grae x 9th Wonder track "Base For Your Face." Noz, an early Based God champion, makes the excellent point that it shouldn't be shocking to hear B on a 9th Wonder beat — he's been rapping over that style for a long time.

Brandon Soderberg, a b contributor and all-around smart dude, highlights the moving (literally and figuratively) "Jam For Jerry," from Holy Ghost! over at Pitchfork.

• Two of the best writers in the business on Lupe Fiasco: The New York Times' Jon Caramanica talks Lupe's Webster Hall show, while The Washington Post's Sean Fennessey writes a concise, smart review of the new release, Lasers. I hope this is the last time you see Lupe Fiasco on this blog. Dude is talented, sure, but ultimately insufferable.

• Another NYT piece, this time from the Carpetbagger, Melena Ryzik, on the Strokes and their maturation. Particularly interesting quotes from Julian Casablancas on his hands-off approach to Angles.