diff --git a/extra/release.py b/extra/release.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..b1c7daa44
--- /dev/null
+++ b/extra/release.py
@@ -0,0 +1,112 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python3
+"""A utility script for automating the beets release process.
+"""
+import click
+import os
+import re
+
+BASE = os.path.dirname(os.path.dirname(os.path.abspath(__file__)))
+
+
+@click.group()
+def release():
+    pass
+
+
+# Locations (filenames and patterns) of the version number.
+VERSION_LOCS = [
+    (
+        os.path.join(BASE, 'beets', '__init__.py'),
+        [
+            (
+                r'__version__\s*=\s*[\'"]([0-9\.]+)[\'"]',
+                "__version__ = '{version}'",
+            )
+        ]
+    ),
+    (
+        os.path.join(BASE, 'docs', 'conf.py'),
+        [
+            (
+                r'version\s*=\s*[\'"]([0-9\.]+)[\'"]',
+                "version = '{minor}'",
+            ),
+            (
+                r'release\s*=\s*[\'"]([0-9\.]+)[\'"]',
+                "release = '{version}'",
+            ),
+        ]
+    ),
+    (
+        os.path.join(BASE, 'setup.py'),
+        [
+            (
+                r'version\s*=\s*[\'"]([0-9\.]+)[\'"]',
+                "    version='{minor}',",
+            )
+        ]
+    ),
+]
+
+@release.command()
+@click.argument('version')
+def bump(version):
+    """Update the version number in setup.py, docs config, changelog,
+    and root module.
+    """
+    version_parts = [int(p) for p in version.split('.')]
+    assert len(version_parts) == 3, "invalid version number"
+    minor = '{}.{}'.format(*version_parts)
+    major = '{}'.format(*version_parts)
+
+    # Replace the version each place where it lives.
+    for filename, locations in VERSION_LOCS:
+        # Read and transform the file.
+        out_lines = []
+        with open(filename) as f:
+            for line in f:
+                for pattern, template in locations:
+                    match = re.match(pattern, line)
+                    if match:
+                        # Check that this version is actually newer.
+                        old_version = match.group(1)
+                        old_parts = [int(p) for p in old_version.split('.')]
+                        assert version_parts > old_parts, \
+                                "version must be newer than {}".format(old_version)
+
+                        # Insert the new version.
+                        out_lines.append(template.format(
+                            version=version,
+                            major=major,
+                            minor=minor,
+                        ) + '\n')
+
+                        break
+                    
+                else:
+                    # Normal line.
+                    out_lines.append(line)
+
+        # Write the file back.
+        with open(filename, 'w') as f:
+            f.write(''.join(out_lines))
+    
+    # Generate bits to insert into changelog.
+    header_line = '{} (in development)'.format(version)
+    header = '\n\n' + header_line + '\n' + '-' * len(header_line) + '\n\n'
+    header += 'Changelog goes here!\n'
+
+    # Insert into the right place.
+    changelog = os.path.join(BASE, 'docs', 'changelog.rst')
+    with open(changelog) as f:
+        contents = f.read()
+    location = contents.find('\n\n')  # First blank line.
+    contents = contents[:location] + header + contents[location:]
+
+    # Write back.
+    with open(changelog, 'w') as f:
+        f.write(contents)
+
+
+if __name__ == '__main__':
+    release()