Mable by Spraynard
When: July 10th
Spraynard was started in 2008 by high school friends Pat Graham, Mark Dickinson, and Patrick Ware. The group released several splits as well as 2011’s amazing Funtitled, which earned them a strong and rather devote following. However, just as the anticipation seemed to be building to critical mass, the band announced a hiatus in 2012. Fans were left with a compilation album, The Mark, Tom, and Patrick Show, put out by Asian Man records in 2014. The record would ultimately serve as an impetus for Spraynard to eventually reformed, but this time with Jake Guralnik replacing Dickinson on bass. With their new line-up, the band signed to Jade Tree Records where they now plan to release their newest record, Mable. The tracks “Everywhere”, “Applebee’s Bar” and “Bench” can already be heard throughout the internet. From these first listens, it seems that the new record will have all the clever, introspective, punk goodness of the old Spraynard and it will be as if the band never left.

Nina Revisited: A Tribute to Nina Simone by Various Artists
When: July 10th
The recent release of Liz Garbus’s What Happened, Miss Simone?, a biopic on Nina Simone, has sparked a renewed interest in the legendary singer. The film, which was made available via Netflix on June 26th, joins a bumper crop of Simone-centered pictures slated for release this year. 2015 should also see the release of the documentary The Amazing Nina Simone as well as the Cynthia Mort movie, Nina, which stars Zoe Saldana as Simone and follows her rise to fame as well as her relationship with her assistant Clifton Henderson. Nina Revisted is a fitting accompaniment to all these films, especially it’s official partner What Happened. The record fittingly opens with Lisa Simone, Simone’s daughter, singing “My Mama Could Sing” and goes on to explore some of her best known songs in both modern and purist contexts. Musicians such as Lauryn Hill, Jazmine Sullivan, Grace, Usher, Mary J Blige, Gregory Porter, Alice Smith, Common and Lalah Hathaway contributed renditions of songs like “Feeling Good” (Hill), “Love Me or Leave Me” (Grace), “I Put a Spell on You” (Smith) to create an eclectic track listing of Simone’s work.

Camera Shy by Camera Shy
When: July 14th
Nick Bassett and Lexy Morte form Oakland, California’s Camera Shy. Two pieces of two other CA-based bands (Whirr and Nothing) came together in 2014 and released the EP Jack-o-Lantern. The following year they put out another EP, Crystal Clear. The band is now due to release their first full-length Camera Shy off of Run For Cover Records. Their newest effort much like their previous is a mix of California, shoegaze and The Smith’s that will sound perfect in July whether you’re in a sunny space or in desperate need of an escape to one.

Copacetic by Knuckle Puck
When: July 31st
Knuckle Puck is easily one of the most promising acts out of this recent class of pop punk bands. Their evolution is evident in each of their EPs. From their self-released, self-titled debut to the most recent While I Stay Secluded, the band has shown with each album that they can stay consistent in their quality of sound and lyrics while still growing and improving as a band. One element that decided improved is Joe Taylor’s voice. What first sounded like a harsh, but maintainable rasp “No Good” of their The Weight That You Buried EP has rounded out and sounds more controlled in the band’s new single “True Contrite” off of Copacetic. The album’s other single “Disdain” hedges Taylor even closer to Dan Campbell and/or early Adam Lazzara territory. The songs show an ever improving musicianship that is sure to shine through the rest of the album.

??? by Potty Mouth
When: Soon?
It’s no secret that Potty Mouth has been recording. Abby (guitar/vocals), Ally (bass) and Victoria (drums) have been posting diligently to the band’s Facebook/Instagram/Twitter from their studio space (which is possibly in Seattle?) and making it well known that they have something in store. Potty Mouth has yet to give their latest effort a name, shape or date, but whatever it is will be welcome, whether it’s an EP, LP or singular track. It’s been awhile since the band has released anything, their last record being 2013’s Hell Bent, and new music is long overdue. The latest and most promising update came on July 3rd when the Northhampton band announced that they had “finished our thing.” Sounds promising. Now we wait.

-Zoe Marquedant