diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 9dcc8f6..570aed8 100755
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -1,6 +1,12 @@
 Changelog
 ==========
 
+#### 1.5.1 - Jan 21, 2020
+
+- Fade response element using CSS animations for better performance.
+- Various minor performance improvements.
+
+
 #### 1.5.0 - Oct 7, 2019
 
 Compatibility with [Mailchimp for WordPress](https://wordpress.org/plugins/mailchimp-for-wp/) version 4.6.
diff --git a/mailchimp-top-bar.php b/mailchimp-top-bar.php
index 5ff4e70..f34fda6 100755
--- a/mailchimp-top-bar.php
+++ b/mailchimp-top-bar.php
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 Plugin Name: MC4WP: Mailchimp Top Bar
 Plugin URI: https://www.mc4wp.com/#utm_source=wp-plugin&utm_medium=mailchimp-top-bar&utm_campaign=plugins-page
 Description: Adds a Mailchimp opt-in bar to the top of your site.
-Version: 1.5.0
+Version: 1.5.1
 Author: ibericode
 Author URI: https://ibericode.com/
 Text Domain: mailchimp-top-bar
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ function _load_mailchimp_top_bar() {
 
 	define('MAILCHIMP_TOP_BAR_FILE', __FILE__);
 	define('MAILCHIMP_TOP_BAR_DIR', __DIR__);
-	define('MAILCHIMP_TOP_BAR_VERSION', '1.5.0');
+	define('MAILCHIMP_TOP_BAR_VERSION', '1.5.1');
 
 	// create instance
 	require_once __DIR__ . '/bootstrap.php';
diff --git a/readme.txt b/readme.txt
old mode 100755
new mode 100644
index fa96eff..f4994a3
--- a/readme.txt
+++ b/readme.txt
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ Donate link: https://www.mc4wp.com/#utm_source=wp-plugin-repo&utm_medium=mailchi
 Tags: mailchimp, form, newsletter, mc4wp, email, opt-in, subscribe, call to action
 Requires at least: 4.1
 Tested up to: 5.3
-Stable tag: 1.5.0
+Stable tag: 1.5.1
 License: GPLv2 or later
 License URI: https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-2.0.html
 Requires PHP: 5.3
@@ -124,6 +124,12 @@ Please open a topic on the [WordPress.org plugin support forums](https://wordpre
 == Changelog ==
 
 
+#### 1.5.1 - Jan 21, 2020
+
+- Fade response element using CSS animations for better performance.
+- Various minor performance improvements.
+
+
 #### 1.5.0 - Oct 7, 2019
 
 Compatibility with [Mailchimp for WordPress](https://wordpress.org/plugins/mailchimp-for-wp/) version 4.6.