Hard to believe it's been eight years since R.E.M. called it quits, but it appears we may be getting some new music from singer Michael Stipe in the near future. During an interview with an Italian newspaper, Stipe said he was gearing up for a solo album, with 18 songs "already ready" to go. Stipe said he took a five-year 'clean break from music' after R.E.M. broke up in 2011, but is "writing, composing and recording all by myself" for the first time.