Michael Stipe shares new demo with The National's Aaron Dessner

R.E.M.’s Michael Stipe shared a coronavirus PSA earlier this month, playing off the renewal in popularity of 32-year-old single “It’s The End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)” and encouraging everyone to stay home and wash their hands, and now he’s shared a demo of a new solo track. He worked on “No Time for Love Like Now” with The National’s Aaron Dessner, and he says the video is a first take. “Echoing Love,” he signs off. Watch that below.

On Instagram, Aaron wrote, “Michael Stipe has been a great hero and friend to me (and @TheNational ) and I never in my wildest dreams imagined writing songs together… but here is the demo of one in progress… coming to you from Michael in isolation at home — hope it raises some spirits. The lyrics and sentiment in the music feel tied to this time.”

Stipe released his last solo single, “Drive to the Ocean,” back in January, on his 60th birthday.