Overview
- Stipe published “Hum Desiderata” on the Joyfully Waiting sound/art platform as a spoken‑word work paired with a music track called “Hum.”
- The recording combines Stipe’s recitation of Max Ehrmann’s poem Desiderata taken from his ICA Milan installation with an instrumental co‑written and produced by Andy LeMaster and featuring Elizabeth Hatmaker on additional vocals.
- The release follows earlier 2026 previews, including the March track “I Played the Fool” produced by Andrew Watt and the April performance of “The Rest of Ever,” and Stipe has said he expects the full solo album by the end of 2026.
- Joyfully Waiting curates immersive audio pieces rather than conventional singles, making it a fitting venue for a work that blends installation audio, spoken word, and songcraft.
- The new piece underscores Stipe’s shift from a decade of visual‑arts projects back toward recorded music and points to upcoming publicity and release details to watch for, such as a formal album title, tracklist, and release date.