Michael Stipe & Big Red Machine Release ‘No Time for Love Like Now’
By Katrina Nattress
June 11, 2020
A few months after initially debuting his new song "No Time For Love Like Now," Michael Stipe has officially released the track with Big Red Machine, along with a music video.
The song was co-written by The National's Aaron Dessner and features his brother, Bryce, and Bon Iver's Justin Vernon, as well as Brad Cook (Hiss Golden Messenger, War on Drugs) on synth, JT Bates (Lizzo, Poliça) on drums, Thomas Bartlett, aka Doveman, (Nico Muhly, Sufjan Stevens) on keys, Clarice Jensen (Bjork, Nick Cave) and Yuki Numata Resnick (Beirut, Blonde Redhead) on violin/viola.
"The collaboration came about when @aarondessner shared a folder of new @bigredmachineadjv music with Michael last year" R.E.M. explained on Instagram. "'No Time for Love Like Now' was written last fall, but when the reality of the COVID pandemic and social distancing and self-isolation descended the words felt like they were written about this time."
“I’m super excited to work with Aaron Dessner,” Stipe said in a statement. “And I’m thrilled with how the song and lyrics landed. The title says it all.”
Watch the "No Time For Love Like Now" video below.
This is the R.E.M. singer's first new material of 2020. Last fall, he released his debut solo single, "Your Capricious Soul."
Photo: Getty Images