REM discuss 'uptempo' new album

REM have been discussing their eagerly-awaited new album.

The band are set to record the LP with Bloc Party producer Jacknife Lee, and it is expected to be released before the end of the year.

Speaking about the project bassist Mike Mills told Billboard: “The way we normally work is (guitarist) Peter (Buck) and I are overproductive. We tend to write a lot of music. Michael (Stipe) requires a little more time to focus on it. Musically, I’d say we’re pretty far along. Lyrically, we’re probably just beginning.”

Mills said on the follow up to 2004’s ’Around The Sun’ the band would be “aiming for a more live feel and maybe a little more uptempo”.

He continued: “The trouble with making records is that you can plan all you want. But what we find is that the records tend to take on a life of their own, so it could go in any direction.”

As previously reported, REM are set to play a five-night stint in Dublin, where they will preview new material.

The band will play the Olympia Theatre on June 30 and July 1, 3, 4 and 5.