![Michael Stipe](https://www.nme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/MichaelStipe_2022.jpg)
Michael Stipe confirms solo album "should come together next year"
"I don’t have a contract with anyone except myself. So I get to do whatever I want"
![Former R.E.M. members Peter Buck and Mike Mills](https://www.nme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/2022_peterbuck_mikemills_getty_2000x1270.jpg)
Watch Peter Buck and Mike Mills perform R.E.M. tracks to mark 40th anniversary of debut EP 'Chronic Town'
The duo teamed up with a host of guest star musicians
![R.E.M.](https://www.nme.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/rem-naihf-credit-chrisbilheimer-03.jpg)
Peter Buck on the chances of an R.E.M. reunion
After a decades-long career, the band broke up in 2011
![Aftersun](https://www.nme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Aftersun_Mescal_Corio.jpg)
'Aftersun' review: Paul Mescal hits new heights in the best British movie this year
A moody, melancholic rumination on parenthood and the passage of time
![Rich Robinson of The Black Crowes, Mike Mills of R.E.M](https://www.nme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/RichRobinson_MikeMills_2022.jpg)
Benefit concerts marking 40th anniversary of R.E.M.’s ‘Chronic Town’ announced
The two concerts will take place in Georgia in December
![Rhian Teasdale of Wet Leg, Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder and David Byrne](https://www.nme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/2022_wetleg_pearljam_davidbyrne_getty_2000x1270.jpg)
Pearl Jam, Wet Leg, David Byrne and more to feature on abortion rights benefit album
'Good Music To Ensure Safe Abortion Access To All' is out later this week
![Ben Gibbard of Death Cab For Cutie. Credit- Erika Goldring:Getty Images](https://www.nme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Ben-Gibbard-of-Death-Cab-For-Cutie.-Credit-Erika-GoldringGetty-Images.jpg)
Death Cab For Cutie cover R.E.M. and debut new song ‘Pepper’ during livestream
Frontman Ben Gibbard launched the hugely popular Live From Home during the first COVID lockdown in 2020
![Michael Stipe](https://www.nme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Michael-Stipe-Vinyl.jpg)
REM's Michael Stipe releases single 'Future If Future' on climate-friendly vinyl
The 12-inch bioplastic vinyl is the first of its kind to be made commercially available
![former R.E.M frontman Michael Stipe](https://www.nme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/MichaelStipe-climate-vinyl.jpg)
Michael Stipe to release new climate-friendly vinyl in aid of EarthPercent
The split single, also featuring Beatie Wolfe, will come on the world's first commercially available bioplastic 12" record
![The Black Crowes](https://www.nme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/2022_TheBlackCrowes_PaulRGiunta-Getty_2000x1270.jpg)
Watch Peter Buck and Kim Thayil join The Black Crowes on stage
The Black Crowes shared a 12-minute video of their surprise collaboration to their social media