R.E.M.’s “Losing My Religion” Demo Is Pretty Good

In the run-up to the 25th anniversary reissue of their 1991 album Out of Time, R.E.M. have shared an unheard demo version of “Losing My Religion.” The lyrics are slightly different-a couple of verses are transposed, and the “choosing my confessions” part is missing. But with fewer words and less studio polish, the song’s world-weary appeal is perhaps even more…