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Michael Stipe continues to preview long-awaited solo album with thought provoking new song ‘Hum Desiderata’
Michael Stipe, former frontman of R.E.M., has released another preview track from his long-awaited debut solo album, continuing a rollout that has stretched over several years. The new song, "Hum Desiderata", is a spoken word piece based on Max Ehrmann's poem "Desiderata" and features additional vocals from artist Elizabeth Hatmaker, offering fans another glimpse of the record ahead of its expected 2026 release.
The track is available to hear on the online sound exhibition platform Joyfully Waiting. It follows Stipe's April appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, where he performed another new song, "The Rest Of Ever", and discussed the album taking "longer than I wanted" while confirming it was nearing completion. Stipe's solo output has previously included "Your Capricious Soul" (2019), "Drive To The Ocean" (2020), and a collaboration with Aaron Dessner's Big Red Machine, while he has also recently featured on the Rooster TV theme song and performed alongside Brandi Carlile at the 2026 Gansett Games.
In short
- Michael Stipe shares new solo track "Hum Desiderata"
- Spoken word song based on the poem "Desiderata"
- Previews his still-unreleased debut solo album, due 2026
Explained simply
Michael Stipe was the lead singer of R.E.M., one of America's most prominent rock bands, which was active from 1980 until it disbanded in 2011. The band achieved significant commercial and critical success during the 1980s and 1990s and became influential in rock music. When R.E.M. ended, it marked the conclusion of one of rock's longest-running projects.
Since R.E.M. disbanded, Stipe has released little new material as a solo artist, making any substantial album from him highly anticipated by fans and the wider music industry. Over recent years he has occasionally released individual songs and collaborated with other musicians, but a complete solo album has been long awaited. This extended period of development has generated considerable interest in what musical direction his work might take.
Stipe has approached the release of his solo material gradually, issuing preview tracks over an extended timescale. This measured rollout has sustained attention from his audience whilst the album nears completion. The participation of other established artists in his work has also broadened interest across different music communities.