Michael Stipe has released “Hum Desiderata”, a new work previewing material from his forthcoming debut solo album. The piece combines an instrumental version of the unreleased song “Hum” with a spoken-word reading of Max Ehrmann’s poem “Desiderata”, offering fans an early indication of the album’s experimental direction.

The track is available exclusively through the online sound exhibition platform Joyfully Waiting and features additional vocals from Athens, Georgia artist Elizabeth Hatmaker. Stipe co-produced “Hum” with Andy LeMaster, using prominent strings; he previously said his solo album was due at the end of 2026 and debuted another song, “The Rest of Ever”, on US television in April.