Pearl Jam – Dark Matter

Straight out of the Seattle grunge scene in the 1990s, Pearl Jam’s first album Ten was met with wide acclaim and swiftly put them on the map as one of the defining rock bands of the era. Now on their 12^th studio album, Dark Matter, they’ve opted for a heavier sound that occasionally verges on punk rock, but they still have a fair few soft rock numbers to even it out. It might be a stretch to label Pearl Jam purely a grunge band these days, but then, is anything truly grunge anymore?

Scared of Fear opens the album, fast-paced with the poignant lyrics “I think you’re hurting yourself just to hurt me / We used to laugh, we used to sing / We used to dance, we had our own scene”. Eddie Vedder’s voice sounds just as good as it did 30 years ago, soulfully howling over Stone Gossard’s guitar strings. It’s no wonder he’s one of the most emulated vocalists in rock.

React, Respond is urgent and erratic, ringing bells of 00s rock band Incubus, while Wreckage takes things down a few notches, and is not dissimilar to Vedder’s solo work. This fluctuation between harder and classic soft rock at times makes the album feel disjointed.

The title track is strong, with a huge stadium rock chorus, and is bound to play well to crowds at Pearl Jam’s up-and-coming world tour. The chorus lyrics “It’s strange these days / When everybody else pays for someone else’s mistakes” will no doubt have many nodding along enthusiastically. However, some songs in the second half walk the tightrope of becoming slightly middle-of-the-road.

Waiting For Stevie is an enjoyable hark back to 90s rock that wouldn’t sound out of place on their debut album, with the melancholy message “You can be loved by everyone / And not feel, not feel love”. Pearl Jam have always been able to tap into the grunge sound in a uniquely melodic way, and such tracks demonstrate that. 

The album closes on Setting Sun, an anthemic but mellow tune that builds into a satisfying emotional crescendo – and Eddie Vedder certainly does emotion well.

Dark Matter will delight many and shows Pearl Jam still has something to give – although as Vedder said recently, it may only be another “one or two” records from now. Let’s wait and see.

Hannah Broughton
Image: Danny Clinch

Dark Matter is released on 19^th April 2024. For further information or to order the album visit Pearl Jam’s website here.

Watch the video for the single Dark Matter here: