FROM THE NEWS NEST: New albums from R.E.M., Amy Winehouse and more.

We’re so gleeful to read that R.E.M. (pictured) has recently wrapped up recording their 15th studio album in Berlin. The alt-rock veterans have been recording at Hansa studios since early May. While the album will tentatively be released in spring 2011, their manager Bertis Downs won’t comment on the album’s sound: “I will not report on the sound or the dimension of the recordings so far, to my ears it all sounds like quite a wonderful set of songs.”

Meanwhile, hot-mess chanteuse Amy Winehouse is promising a new album in the next six months. The singer is still facing visa issues when it comes to her new project with ?uestlove, but still wants to give fans some new tunes. Mark Ronson, who worked with her on her breakthrough album Back to Black, is rumored to be a part of the album.

M.I.A. has been stirring up some trouble with public opinions on everyone from Lady Gaga, the New York Times, and Justin Bieber, so it’s nice to see her rocking out her song “Born Free” on Letterman Tuesday night. Check out this awesome performance, with M.I.A. backed up by ten of her… er, girls that look like her.