Michael Stipe introduces new song

Michael Stipe, former lead singer of R.E.M., is taking his own advice and staying isolated during the coronavirus crisis, but he is still creating.

The co-writer of “It’s The End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)” introduced a new song on Sunday, a demo of a somber collaboration with Aaron Dessner.

The song is called “No Time For Love Like Now,” and on a new YouTube video Stipe sings it into the camera, accompanied by a Prince-like backing track of keyboards and synth drums.

The lyrics include (apparently) the phrase “lockdown memories can’t sustain.” They seem appropriate for this time and place.

R.E.M.’s 1987 million-seller “It’s the End of the World As We Know It” resurfaced this spring during the global pandemic, and Stipe released an updated version serving as a COVID-19 safety video.

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Michael Stipe, isolated, introduces new song