Pearl Jam Release Dynamic New Song, Set New Album ‘Dark Matter’

2024-02-13

Darkly colored photograph of the rock band Pearl Jam.

Pearl Jam – Author Anne Erickson, Photo via Danny Clinch

A new era of Pearl Jam is underway. Well, maybe not a whole new era, but the latest chapter in the band is here. Pearl Jam have announced that their new album, “Dark Matter,” will arrive on April 19 via Monkeywrench Records/Republic Records. They’re also hitting the road on a worldwide tour in support of the record.

Pearl Jam, “Dark Matter” Song Review

As for the new music, Eddie Vedder and company have already released the title track off the set, “Dark Matter,” which is the album’s first single. The song starts with bouncy rhythms and makes way for Vedder’s instantly identifiable raw, explosive vocals. This plays like a much more jam-based song that most Pearl Jam fare, but other than that, is sounds very much like Pearl Jam, with grungy guitars and catchy hooks. While I’m sure radio-friendly isn’t the sound Pearl Jam were going for, “Dark Matter” certainly would fit on modern rock radio. The three-and-a-half minute songs is super melodic and filled with memorable hooks.

A pre-sale for the new album is going on now via PearlJam.com. In addition, as aforementioned, Pearl Jam will embark on a world tour in support of “Dark Matter,” with tour dates dropping soon. According to a release, Ten Club ticket pre-sale and Ticket Master registration begins Tuesday (Feb. 13). Tickets go on sale to the general public on sale Friday (Feb. 23).

Dark Matter marks Pearl Jam’s 12th studio album. It’s produced by Grammy Award-winning producer Andrew Watt. “Dark Matter” also marks the band’s follow-up to 2020’s “Gigaton.” According to a press release, “Unlike previous records which took years to complete with several group and individual recording sessions, Dark Matter was created in just three weeks.” Recording took place at Shangri-La Studios with the “entire band playing together with a burst of inspiration,” according to the band’s statement. As for artwork, “Dark Matter” features light painting art by Alexandr Gnezdilov.

Pearl Jam guitarist Stone Gossard caught up with Audio Ink Radio in 2021 to talk about Gossard’s record label, Loosegroove Records. They also talked about new Pearl Jam music at the time, and Gossard promised, “Pearl Jam will definitely be back.” He added, “We’re always kind of recording and doing stuff. So, it wouldn’t surprise me if we did some more recording, but there’s no plans as of now. And, I have no idea what we’re going to do, but I’ll be ready to go when I get the call.” Well, it sounds like he got the call.

Gossard also talked about the history of Pearl Jam and his place in the Seattle scene. “It started in Mother Love Bone,” he said. “The band Green River sort of immediately got it going, and people were coming to see us. Out of the gate, things were sort of- I was being rewarded pretty quickly for just, again, messing around. So, in the end that it sort of ended up being what it’s become and sort of where it’s gone and that I get to talk about putting The Living record out on my own label at some point- it’s all a big shock. And, it’s fun. It’s a fun shock.”

Check out the full track list for “Dark Matter” below and listen to the album’s title track. Find more information, including tour dates, here.

Pearl Jam “Dark Matter” Track List:

01. Scared of Fear
02. React, Respond
03. Wreckage
04. Dark Matter
05. Won’t Tell
06. Upper Hand
07. Waiting for Stevie
08. Running
09. Something Special
10. Got to Give
11. Setting Sun

Anne Erickson
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Posted by Anne Erickson | Alternative, Grunge, Music, Rock, Rock News

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