Athens, GA (October 17, 2025)—Following the announcement of Radio Free Europe 2025—a five-track benefit EP celebrating the 75th anniversary of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL)—R.E.M. today celebrates the official arrival of their limited-edition 10-inch orange vinyl, available now exclusively at independent record stores and REMHQ.com. Proceeds from all vinyl and merch sales will go to RFE/RL, an editorially independent nonpartisan and nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation.
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty was established by the United States 75 years ago and currently broadcasts news and information in 27 languages to 23 countries where a free press is either banned by the government or under threat. Throughout the Cold War and continuing today, RFE/RL is often the only lifeline to the outside world for people living under extreme censorship.
Stephen Capus, President & CEO, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty:
“For 75 years, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty journalists have been relentless in their mission of ‘calling out’ to audiences living under censorship. I’m proud that such an iconic song bears our name and resonates with the enduring spirit of freedom and resilience that defines RFE/RL and our brave journalists. R.E.M.’s contributions on the world stage are grounded in the same spirit of freedom of expression, integrity, and creativity. I look forward to seeing the EP officially on the shelves in record stores around Prague and across the globe.”
Members of R.E.M. say this mission of promoting free expression has always resonated with the band:
“We love journalism, we love freedom of speech, and we love the world…. We have a song that I wrote when I was 20, it was our first ever single, and this is a good time to celebrate the actual Radio Free Europe… It’s important to democracy and it’s important in the fight against authoritarianism that they remain.” says Michael Stipe, lead singer and founding member of R.E.M. in a recent interview with CBS Mornings.
“Radio Free Europe’s journalists have been pissing off dictators for 75 years. You know you’re doing your job when you make the right enemies.” adds Mike Mills, bassist and founding member of R.E.M.
The release is led by the never-before-released 2025 remix of “Radio Free Europe” from longtime collaborator and GRAMMY®-winning producer Jacknife Lee (U2, Snow Patrol, Taylor Swift, The Killers). Completing the package are Mitch Easter’s original 1981 recordings—the sought-after Hib-Tone single mix of “Radio Free Europe,” its flip-side “Sitting Still,” the “Wh. Tornado” demo, and Easter’s long-rumored, never-before-released 1981 remix “Radio Free Dub.”
Click here to order/stream Radio Free Europe 2025 now, or find your nearest indie record store.
Click here to make a tax-deductible donation to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
TRACKLIST:
Radio Side:
- Radio Free Europe 2025 (Jacknife Lee Remix)*
- Radio Free Dub (Mitch Easter 1981 Remix)*
Liberty Side:
- Radio Free Europe (Original Hib-Tone Single)
- Sitting Still (Original Hib-Tone B-Side)
- Wh. Tornado (From Cassette Set) **
*Never-before-released
**First time on digital and vinyl
About R.E.M.:
One of the most revered bands in popular music history, R.E.M. pioneered the alt-rock movement of the ’90s, influencing future acts like Radiohead, Nirvana, Pavement, and Pearl Jam. Formed in 1980, the group enjoyed an extraordinary three-decade-long run of creative vitality and multi-platinum sales before amicably disbanding in 2011. Despite great success, the band members never lost track of their core values—remaining outspoken in their views about political, social, and environmental issues, and never wavering when it came to artistic integrity. Throughout their career, R.E.M. released 15 studio albums, won three GRAMMY® Awards, and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (2007) as well as the Songwriters Hall of Fame (2024).
About Craft Recordings:
Craft Recordings is home to one of the largest and most essential collections of master recordings and compositions in the world. Its storied repertoire includes landmark releases from icons such as Celia Cruz, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Isaac Hayes, John Coltrane, John Lee Hooker, Joan Baez, Joan Sebastian, Little Richard, Miles Davis, R.E.M., and Traveling Wilburys. Plus, the catalog recordings of celebrated contemporary acts including A Day to Remember, Alison Krauss, Daddy Yankee, Evanescence, Nine Inch Nails, Taking Back Sunday, and Violent Femmes, to name just a few. Renowned imprints with catalogs issued under the Craft banner include Fania, Fantasy, Fearless, HITCO, Musart, Nitro, Panart, Prestige, Riverside, Rounder, Specialty, Stax, Vanguard, Varèse Sarabande, Vee-Jay and Victory, among many others. Craft creates thoughtfully curated packages, with a meticulous devotion to quality and a commitment to preservation— ensuring that these recordings endure for new generations to discover. Craft is also home to the Billie Holiday and Tammy Wynette estates which preserve and protect their respective names, likeness, and music through day-to-day legacy management of these cultural trailblazers.
Craft Recordings is the catalog label team for Concord. For more info, visit CraftRecordings.com and follow on Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.
