The thirteenth studio album from R.E.M., released in 2004, Around the Sun is notable for being one of the band's more straightforward and polished productions. Though it was very much a protest album, focused around the American political climate at the time, and the ongoing war, the band took a delicate and mature approach to the songs. Includes "The Outsiders," featuring rapper Q-Tip, and UK hit single "Leaving New York."