Michael Stipe isn’t rushing this one. Not even close.
The former R.E.M. frontman says his long-awaited solo debut is still in the works… but, says it’s “taken longer than I wanted.”
Since the band’s amicable split in 2011, Stipe’s been selective, dropping the occasional track, including a recent collaboration with Andrew Watt, Josh Klinghoffer, and Travis Barker. But a full album? That’s been a different beast.
“Covid didn’t help,” he admitted. Fair enough. But the bigger story is pressure. Internal. Personal. The kind that comes with trying to follow up a catalogue like R.E.M.’s.
He took five years off after the breakup.
He wants this record to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with what came before. His words? That’s “near impossible.”
“It’s fucking exciting but also terrifying,” Stipe said, adding that he’s stepping deeper into the music side this time. Not just the voice, but the build. The structure. The craft.
He says he loves his singing voice… and wants to get back to putting something real out into the world.
There’s work left. Eight songs still to finish. A deadline in sight. And maybe, just maybe, a title floating around: Meet THE Michael Stipe.
No rush. Just intent.
