Michael Stipe releases new solo track “Hum Desiderata”

Michael Stipe, the former frontman of R.E.M., has released a new song titled “Hum Desiderata.” The track is available exclusively through the Joyfully Waiting sound‑exhibition website and does not appear on major streaming platforms.

The piece combines Stipe’s recitation of Max Ehrmann’s 1927 poem “Desiderata,” recorded for his 2023 installation at Milan’s Institute of Contemporary Arts, with an instrumental version of an unreleased track “Hum” from his forthcoming debut solo album. The song was written and produced with Andy Lemaster and features additional vocals by Athens, Georgia artist Elizabeth Hatmaker. Stipe announced the solo album on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert in April, where he performed the unreleased song “The Rest of Ever.” He has also contributed the theme song “I Played The Fool” to the Apple TV series Rooster, and expects the full album to be completed by next year with a visual component for each song.