R.E.M. frontman Michael Stipe just released a new track on YouTube, "No Time for Love Like Now," a collaboration with The National's Aaron Dessner.
In the description, Stipe wrote: "First take! A new song with Aaron Dessner. This is the demo track. Echoing Love xxx Michael."
Of the song, Stipe told Variety, "I started working with Aaron over last summer and early fall 2019, and recorded the first studio demo in October 2019, after the death of (acclaimed poet) John Giorno."
The National opened for R.E.M. on the band's 2008 North American Accelerate tour with Modest Mouse. R.E.M. broke up in 2011, and Stipe didn't release his first solo song until 2019. That single — "Your Capricious Soul" — was accompanied by a statement in which Stipe said, "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.”
His second song, "Drive to the Ocean," was released on his 60th birthday in January.
The Variety article says there's no word as to whether this new co-write with Dessner is one of many or if there is any type of album in the works with "No Time for Love Like Now" and Stipe's other solo work.
Regardless, Dessner shared his sentiments about writing with Stipe on his personal Instagram:
"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."
