Eight years after R.E.M.’s breakup, frontman Michael Stipe is finally going solo.
On Saturday, October 5th, Stipe will release his debut solo single titled ‘Your Capricious Soul’. The track will initially be available only for purchase through Stipe’s website for 77 cents, though there will also be the option to download the song for free digitally.
The release of ‘Your Capricious Soul’ matches up with the International Rebellion climate justice protests on October 7th, and proceeds from the song’s purchase will go toward Extinction Rebellion to help aid their work of non-violent protest of government inaction to the climate emergency.
In a statement, Stipe says, “I took a long break from music, and I wanted to jump back in. I love ‘Your Capricious Soul’ – it’s my first solo work. I want to add my voice to this exciting shift in consciousness. Extinction Rebellion gave me the incentive to push the release and not wait. Our relationship to the environment has been a lifelong concern, and I now feel hopeful—optimistic, even. I believe we can bring the kind of change needed to improve our beautiful planet earth, our standing and our place on it.”
The song will be debuting with a full-length music video to match.
Stipe previously debuted “Your Capricious Soul” live. You can watch fan-captured footage of one such performance below.
In an interview earlier this summer, Stipe said he had 18 songs “already ready.” He explained, “Now I’m writing, composing and recording all by myself and for the first time.”
Having released 15 records during their lifetime, R.E.M. were far more prolific than some of their contemporaries, with unreleased music still making an occasional appearance to this day.
Now it seems that fans can get a taste of new R.E.M. music through the release of some Michael Stipe solo material, which we absolutely cannot wait for.
