Collapse Into Now, on Warner Bros., was produced by Jacknife Lee who also helmed the band’s 2008 album, Accelerate. Recorded at New Orleans’ Music Shed and Berlin’s Hansa Studios, Collapse Into Now features a few high-profile notables on the guest list, such as Patti Smith, Eddie Vedder, Peaches, Lenny Kaye and Hidden Cameras frontman Joel Gibb.

R.E.M. is also giving you a reason to pre-order Collapse Into Now via iTunes in the form of an instant free download of “It Happened Today” from the new album. But you better hurry. Offer is good this week only.

Meanwhile, the world holds its collective breath as it waits for an R.E.M. tour announcement. Stay tuned.