Watch R.E.M.’s New Video for "Überlin!" And Yes, Aaron Johnson Is Über-hot.

“Uberlin” and its uber-hot video star, Aaron Johnson.

I snatched this from the NY Times: “If next Tuesday’s release of “Collapse Into Now,” the 15th full-length studio album in some 30 years from R.E.M., was not itself sufficient cause for celebration, that resilient rock band is throwing in a few additional party favors: it has commissioned 12 short films to accompany each of the tracks on the album…”

Yes, new R.E.M. album looks to be lovely, and the arty videos? Hurrah! And here’s a look at one from photographer/artist/filmmaker Sam Taylor-Wood: “Überlin.” It stars Wood’s real life boyfriend, very attractive actor Aaron Johnson (from “Kick-Ass”). Watching him (and his clearly hot bod) jump, prance, dance, leap and parade around London’s Brick Lane is very easy to do. I’m in love.

Lots more arty videos (12 in all!) are coming for the songs on “Collapse Into Now.” Including two from James Franco (because yes, he does everything) for the songs “That Someone Is You” and “Blue.” And yes, Franco and R.E.M.’s Michael Stipe have worked together before on a project where Stipe provided music for a film Franco made that’s a tribute to River Phoenix culled from clips from Gus Van Sant’s movie “My Own Private Idaho.” The Times has more on that too.

In the meantime, please enjoy Mr. Johnson’s foxy gyrations. And R.E.M.’s tune, too.

P.S. Here’s a trailer video for the whole dang album.