10 Popular Artists You Didn't Know Released Music In 2019
7. Michael Stipe
After a long musical hiatus since R.E.M’s break-up in 2011, frontman Michael Stipe softly announced his return to music in October with a new single.
Your Capricious Soul released quietly due to his decision to skip streaming services for the new release. So you’d be forgiven for missing it. Stipe employed the pay-what-you-want model on his website to hear his new single, to raise proceeds for Extinction Rebellion.
Purchasing the single comes with the music video among other press kit gifts, allowing fans to reflect on the tune in the hyper-speed digital era. It is a very low-key release but likely intentional, it is just great to hear that Stipe still has his signature voice after all these years.
A punching post-punk track with synths and brass, with Stipe seamlessly hits some ambitiously high notes. It is a subdued but overdue welcome back for Stipe, and he's even been talking about the single during the Monster 25th anniversary re-release for R.E.M, that is how little attention Stipe is giving to his own release.