On Tuesday, Newbury Comics started selling preorders of Beck’s new album Colors, with booklets that have been signed. There's some fine print, though: the booklets haven't been signed by Beck, they've been signed by MC Hammer. What does MC Hammer have to do with Beck? Apparently nothing, other than the fact that he's a fan. "Great party record," tweeted the "U Can't Touch This" hitmaker, who should know one when he hears one. (Billboard)

The Streets to reunite

The Streets, the acclaimed British hip-hop band, have announced their first shows in seven years. Mike Skinner and his bandmates will play five U.K. dates, starting on April 19 in Birmingham. "I've missed tour buses," says Skinner. No word yet on a follow-up to their most recent album, 2011's Computers and Blues. (Pitchfork)

Stereophonics respond to Bob Dylan's shout-out

"It's very surreal," says Kelly Jones about his band Stereophonics being cited by Bob Dylan, in a May 2017 interview, as one of his favorite recent artists. "I've spent a long time trying to writing lyrics that mean something to myself, and that hopefully other people can then relate to. So to have something like that come from a guy who's kind of the Shakespeare of music? It's very...it's a jab in the arm for sure. It's encouraging, you know?" (NME)

Belle and Sebastian to release three EPs

Belle and Sebastian have announced the release of not one, not two, but three EPs in three successive months starting this December. The whole project will be titled How to Solve Our Human Problems, and a first song, "I'll Be Your Pilot," is out now. According to Rolling Stone, "Belle and Sebastian's decision to put out a hat-trick of EPs is a nod to their younger selves — in 1997, the group released Dog On Wheels, Lazy Line Painter Jane, and 3...6...9 Seconds of Light — and a way of acknowledging the changing weight of an album in the modern era."

Sharon Jones posthumous release announced

Daptone Records has announced the release of a posthumous Sharon Jones album. Soul of a Woman will be out Nov. 17. "This album was recorded while the singer was struggling with pancreatic cancer," notes Billboard, "with Jones fighting through with all her energy to make one last record." A first song, "Matter of Time," is out now with an accompanying video.