1. Cinemechanica (untitled project)
The loooooooong-awaited second LP from the razor-rock kings of Athens is set for a "mid-to-late fall" release, according to bassist Joel Hatstat. He adds, "Unfortunately, we have no idea yet what the title is going to be, or any real specifics… It is going to be absurdly heavy and modern, but with a lot of vintage gear and huge rooms on the tracking side of things."

2. Dream Boat: The Rose Explodes
More specifics are available for the sophomore album from Athens/Madison, WI-based duo (and sometime full group) Dream Boat, which is due out Sept. 16 via Cloud Recordings. Judging by the album's first single, the gauzy "Way Out," the record will follow in its self-titled predecessor's vaporous, new age-y footsteps but perhaps feature an expanded sonic palette.

3. Five Eight: Songs for St. Jude
Twenty-five years into an impeccable—if largely under-the-radar—career, Athens' rock and roll mainstays are gearing up to release a follow-up to 2010's Your God Is Dead to Me Now. By all accounts and against all odds, Mike Mantione and crew are as fired-up about music as they've been in years, so expect a barn-burner of a record. And stay tuned for an exclusive Flagpole blog series chronicling the making of the new album.

4. Hand Sand Hands: Good Luck With That
Jonathan Miller's experimental project has evolved since Miller settled in town a couple years ago, from glitchy, distorted noise to mind-melting, beat-heavy avant-electronica. Of his new LP, reportedly out in September, Miller says: "Seven songs, no filler. Just a full-on sample assault. Big drums and chaos." Dunno about y'all, but we're excited.

5. Reptar (untitled project)
Little is known about the much-anticipated upcoming full-length from the nationally acclaimed world-pop lads, but the first tastes we've gotten of the group since its recent reappearance on the scene—the synth-heavy single "Daily Season"; a horn-centric AthFest set—hint at an '80s-inspired, tech-groove sound. Don't expect the album anytime soon, though; the band says "it'll be at least December before it's out."