Pearl Jam Dark Matter LP

TAS Rated 3.5/5 Music, 4/5 Sonics in the July/August 2024 Issue of The Absolute Sound!

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Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees Pearl Jam return with their highly anticipated 2024 album Dark Matter. The band's 12th studio album was produced by Grammy® Award-winning producer, Andrew Watt.

In 2023, the band retreated to Shangri-La Studios in Malibu where they simply plugged in and played under the watch of producer Andrew Watt. Writing and recording in a burst of inspiration, Dark Matter was born in just three weeks. As a result, Dark Matter channels the shared spirit of a group of lifelong creative confidants and brothers in one room playing as if their very lives depended on it.

The album's packaging features light painting art by Alexandr Gnezdilov. The album cover art was crafted using a large self-made kaleidoscope. Each letter visible on the cover was individually captured and handwritten midair with a specially designed flashlight to create the pearlescent effect.

Dark Matter is Pearl Jam's first release since 2020's Gigaton.

...a record that hints at the heights of Ten and Vs. without precisely sounding like either...Dark Matter is streamlined and purposeful, never overstaying its welcome on either the ballads or rockers...the efficiency is ultimately to the band's benefit, highlighting their empathetic interplay by pushing melodies and hooks to the forefront.

The album lacks an overall theme, but that works in its favor as its streamlined sonics and hard rock edge echo the band's early records with throwback ferocity. This fiery collection burns with immediacy from the angular push/pull rhythms of the title track to the punk assault of 'Running.' After a few decades, it's easy to take Pearl Jam's muscular chops for granted, but their tight arrangements and collaborative dynamics truly are exceptional. Eddie Vedder's iconic baritone still mesmerizes with a gravitas that only deepens with age. No matter the lyrics, Eddie emotes—and you feel it deep in your chest.