Mike Mains & the Branches have a) fully funded their pledgemusic campaign to release a new album, b) released a new music video for 'Noises', c) started a tour with Relient K, Hellogoodbye, and William Beckett, or d) ALL OF THE ABOVE.

Hit the jump to see which option is right.

Abandon Kansas are set to release a fully self-funded (no Kickstarter even!) EP called A Midwest Story on June 1. Hit the jump to check out a brand new song, and to see a pretty raw video of the band spilling their heart for the new project and where they're at.

So with Parachute done and dusted (seriously, that dust was cruel this year), you might've missed some of the albums that Kiwi artists released over the weekend. Let me help with that.

Strahan - Posters
The follow-up to the Water & Fire EP - Strahan locks in his place as a brilliant deep lyricist and musician. Get it on bandcamp or iTunes.

The Ember Days - More Than You Think
One of the best worship albums you will hear this year. These guys know what they're doing - and do it oh so well! Free from comeandlive.com or buy it on iTunes and support them.

Edge Kingsland - Vol. 2 | due north
Local worship from one of the best collections of musicians and songwriters Auckland has. You'll listen to this on repeat for hours. Meant to be on iTunes by the end of the week.

Late 80s Mercedes - Diamonds EP
Always a Parachute Festival favourite, the guys have released a new collection of songs. Some originals, some new covers - get it on iTunes or Spotify and enjoy a little more summer.

Did I miss any?? Email me This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  to update my album release list!!

One Republic have set a release date for Native (March 26 btw) and have published the video for "If I Lose Myself" online. 

While the video and the song have a pretty upbeat vibe, the song is actually about something pretty morbid, as the band told MTV News.

Head to paramore.net to stream Paramore's new song "Now" and (in the next couple of days) pre-order options for the international store will go live so you can get their new album first. Due April 9, and I'd expect most of the preorder options to come with an instant download of the new song.

Check out the new music video for "Words" from Hawk Nelson. And check out the interview Dan did with Jon Steingard over at the night show page.

All round good guy Derek Webb is celebrating the 10 year anniversary of the release of his debut album 'She Must and Shall Go Free' by giving it away for nothing at noisetrade.com.

Also in this announcment video, he talks about a tour he's heading on in April/May and the release of a brand new album.

Canadian electro-pop musician Lights is set to release an acoustic version of her latest album Siberia.

She's been playing a string of shows including a special acoustic set at Toronto-based Igloo church. Look for the acoustic album "in the next couple of months".

Skillet have just finished their new album! It's heading to the "listen-to-it-over-and-over-and-edit" stage and should be out sometime next year! Follow the band on twitter for the latest updates.

Well it's about time I reckon. Paramore have announced that their new album Paramore will be released in April 2013.

The whole making of this album was a rediscovering of ourselves as a band and as friends. It was a process that allowed us the freedom to explore new territory artistically and to liberate ourselves as musicians, singers, as people! Sincerely, we feel that the best way to give it a name is just to call it what it is. This album is us.

Read the full blog and keep updated at paramore.net.