Searxng/Michael Stipe Music Michael Stipe reveals the struggle to finish his solo album, weighed down by the immense legacy and high bar set by his iconic band, R.E.M. March 17, 2026 AceShowbiz - Michael Stipe has revealed the challenges he faces while completing his long-awaited debut solo album, admitting that the legacy of R.E.M. looms large over the project. Since releasing his first solo single in 2019, progress on the album has been slow, partly due to the pandemic and partly due to the high standards Stipe sets for himself.