Michael Stipe releasing debut solo single this weekend

UPDATE: Stream “Your Capricious Soul” now.

R.E.M. called it a day in 2011 and Michael Stipe focused on non-musical things, like his art, but in 2016 began to talk about returning to it. He produced Fischerspooner’s 2018 album and made frequent appearances at Patti Smith shows. Finally, he’s set to release his debut solo single this weekend. It’s titled “Your Capricious Soul” and will be available via his website starting Saturday, October 5 and proceeds go to climate change initiative Extinction Rebellion. and here’s more about it from the man himself:

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.

“Your Capricious Soul” is one of the songs Stipe performed at Webster Hall back in May when he opened for Patti Smith and you can watch live video of that below and you can hear just a tiny loop of the studio version on his website.

In other news, R.E.M. are releasing a 25th anniversary deluxe edition of 1994’s Monster.