“May in the Summer” is an international drama comedy, directed by and starring Cherien Dabis. Dabis is May Brennan, a successful writer who returns to her family in Amman in preperation for her wedding. Prior to the arrival of May’s fiance, a Muslim professor at Columbia University, May clashes with various family members including her mother, a Christian who chooses to boycott the wedding.

In select U.S. theaters August 29.

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The Congress (“Le Congres”) is a live-action and animation drama, directed by Ari Folman. Robin Wright plays a version of herself as an aging actress who sells her digital likeness to her studio to use in films without restriction. When this contract nears expiration, Wright is invited to make a comeback into the world of future fantasy, a decision with far-reaching consequences.

In select U.S. theaters August 29.

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jj has upgraded to JJ, and with it have released their fourth album “V”. While the Swedish duo, comprised of Elin Kastlander and Joakim Benon, retain their iconic languid sound, the sounds of “V” carry what many are calling a heightened intentionality. About their former anonymity, vocalist Kastlander has remarked, “We didn’t mean to be anonymous, to begin with. We just knew we needed to put our music out.” The music which first caught listeners ears in 2009 continues to be a marker for cross-genre indie-pop and indie-hip-hop.

V is out via Secretly Canadian and Sincerely Yours, August 19th.

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New Orleans based singer-songwriter Benjamin Booker has released his self-titled debut album. Influenced by The Gun Club, Blind Willie Johnson, and T. Rex, the album is already receiving rave reviews for its ferocious brand of southern rock.

Benjamin Booker is out via ATO Records, August 20.

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Operators is a three person analog/electronic/dance project including Dan Boeckner (Wolf Parade, Handsome Furs, Divine Fits) as well as Divine Fits drummer Sam Brown and Devojka. They will release their first EP EP1 this Tuesday.

EP1 is out via Grandstand.

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Joe Bradley, known for his bright abstract paintings and cavemanish drawings, has released his first book of collected work. “Joe Bradley: Drawings” spans the past five years of Bradley’s sketches in linear seeming sequence, beginning with his humorous interpretation of minimalism and on into cartoonish characters and angular sketching.

published by PictureBox

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“Alex Prager: Face in the Crowd” (text by Kaitlin Booher and Elizabeth Banks) features the glossy, “cinematic” photography for which Prager is so well known. The book showcases Prager’s work staging and photographing crowds to create portraits that mirror Hollywood film stills.

published by Lehmann Maupin in conjunction with M+B Gallery.

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“Lese Majesty”, Shabazz Palaces’s sophomore album, marks Ishmael Butler and Tendai Maraire’s foray into what some are calling the future sounds of hip-hop. The Seattle duo forgo any traditional hip-hop harmony and beat structures, instead creating a sci-fi atmosphere in seven suites.

“Lese Majesty” is out via Sub Pop, July 28.

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