The democracy devotees in R.E.M. have announced the aptly titled We Are Hope Despite the Times digital compilation, which was released today to coincide with National Voter Registration Day, Constitution Day, and Citizenship Day (basically, if you don’t register to vote, you’ll make Michael Stipe sad—and there is truly nothing worse). The playlist highlights songs from the band’s catalog that are focused on social justice and activism, with the aim being to help “listeners to stay informed, engaged, and vote during this critical election season.”
The compilation title takes its name from the lyric, “We are young despite the years / We are concern, we are hope despite the times” from the band’s song “These Days” from their 1986 LP Lifes Rich Pageant. Check out the compilation here, and find voter registration information here.
