Michael Stipe Debuts Unreleased Song on Colbert Ahead of Solo Album
Michael Stipe Debuts Unreleased Song on Colbert Ahead of Solo Album
R.E.M. frontman Michael Stipe teased a new solo project on Colbert, performing 'The Rest of Ever' with Louis Cato and The Great Big Joy Machine in NYC.
Michael Stipe surprised Colbert fans last night by debuting an unreleased song called "The Rest of Ever" on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, performed with Louis Cato and The Great Big Joy Machine. The performance serves as a tease for his forthcoming solo album, which he says has taken longer than expected due to writer's block and the pandemic.
Stipe also offered a glimpse into his creative process, noting that much of the work has been happening in New York at Electric Lady Studios, a space he shares with Taylor Swift, Jack Antonoff, and Matty Healy. Since R.E.M.'s 2011 hiatus, the 66-year-old artist has released photography books and a handful of one-off songs, continuing to explore new avenues while preparing for a full solo release later this year.
This new material follows his past contributions, including co-writing and performing "I Played the Fool," the main theme for the HBO series Rooster, and a cover of "Sunday Morning" for I'll Be Your Mirror: A Tribute to The Velvet Underground & Nico in 2021. For fans, the Colbert performance offers a fresh glimpse at what's coming as Stipe readies his first solo album.
Watch the new song on Colbert and stay tuned for more updates as the project unfolds.
