Michael Stipe has released “Hum Desiderata”, a new preview of his forthcoming debut solo album. The former R.E.M. singer’s latest release follows his April debut of “The Rest Of Ever”, signalling further progress towards a solo project after decades leading the band.

The track is available exclusively through the sound-exhibition platform Joyfully Waiting. It combines an instrumental called “Hum”, made by Stipe and Andy LeMaster, with Stipe and vocalist Elizabeth Hatmaker reciting Max Ehrmann’s 1927 poem “Desiderata”; Stipe recently also performed the Rooster theme song on Jimmy Kimmel Live! and received an Emmy nomination connected to his Simpsons episode.