Jay Reatard, acclaimed solo artist and former leader of the late-’90s punk outfit The Reatards, died yesterday evening. Memphis police (as well as several of Reatard’s bandmates) have confirmed the death, although few details are currently available. [CommercialAppeal.com]

Electro-pop sensation Ke$ha is number one on the Billboard 200 album chart this week with her debut album, Animal. The album sold over 152,000 copies and bested reality TV sensation Susan Boyle’s I Dreamed a Dream, which fell to number two with 93,000 copies sold. [Billboard.com]

MIA has released a music video for her newest song, “There’s Space for Ol Dat I See.” It is still uncertain whether the track will appear on MIA’s third album, which is currently untitled and slated for a spring release. [NME.com]

Fans can preview Peter Gabriel’s upcoming orchestral covers album, Scratch My Back, online. As previously reported, the album features Gabriel singing orchestral reworkings of tunes by Radiohead, Arcade Fire, the Magnetic Fields, and others. [Stereogum.com]

Vocalist/harpist Joanna Newsom has confirmed details on her forthcoming album. Titled Have One On Me, the album is set for release on February 23 courtesy of the Spunk label. [Pitchfork.com]

Beyonce will take some time off from music this year. Following the success of her last album, I Am…Sasha Fierce, Beyonce told USA Today that she plans to avoid the recording studio for at least six months. [Prefixmag.com]