R.E.M. premiered “Discoverer,” from the band’s upcoming album, Collapse Into Now, in December, but the (then) free download wasn’t the set’s first single. Neither was “It Happened Today,” featuring backing vocals from Eddie Vedder, which premiered shortly afteward. Two weeks ago, R.E.M. posted a lyric video for a third track from Collapse Into Now, the beautiful “Oh My Heart,” but then announced that official “first single” honors would go to yet another song, “Mine Smell Like Honey,” released this week.

Departing from the three tracks that premiered ahead of it, “Mine Smell Like Honey” is a tight melodic rocker from the trio. Michael Stipe sings with the slightest hint of a snarl, Mike Mills sends some sweet harmonies over the top of the chorus, with Peter Buck’s buzzing guitar pointing the way. One line may go, “You’re going to do just what you want to,” but “Mine Smell Like Honey” is the sound of a re-energized R.E.M. giving us exactly what we want:

R.E.M.’s 15th album, Collapse Into Now, arrives March 8.

Purchase R.E.M. – “Mine Smell Like Honey” via iTunes, Amazon MP3.