Pearl Jam | Dark Matter Review

by Griff Stevens

With the arrival of Dark Matter, Pearl Jam’s twelfth studio album, Pearl Jam cements their enduring influence in a musical era defined by fleeting trends. Emerging after a four-year hiatus since 2020’s Gigaton, the album poignantly reflects a band that not only weathered the grunge storm but continues to push boundaries. Released on April 19, 2024, by Monkeywrench/Republic Records, Dark Matter is a potent showcase of matured rock energy, effortlessly bridging the generational gap between their original fanbase and contemporary listeners.

Recorded over three weeks at Shangri-La Studios in Malibu over a whirlwind with producer Andrew Watt, Dark Matter captures a raw, almost live performance energy that harkens back to the band’s gritty origins. The setup was simple: the band members, facing each other, channeled their storied chemistry into a burst of creative synergy. This recording approach, emphasizing direct interaction and sonic purity, has enabled Pearl Jam to produce a spontaneous and deeply considered album.

The album explodes with “Scared of Fear,” a track that fuses blaring guitars with an arena-worthy melody. It’s a clear nod to the band’s 90s golden era, yet invigorated with a modern twist. Eddie Vedder’s distinctive and emotionally charged vocals weave through themes of nostalgia, resilience, and the socio-political turmoil that mirrored the album’s own creation.

Dark Matter navigates a landscape of personal and collective struggles. Tracks like “React, Respond” showcase a more punk-infused, aggressive sound reminiscent of Pearl Jam’s earlier work. In contrast, “Wreckage” and “Won’t Tell” offer a more introspective, contemporary take on conflict and reconciliation. This adept blend demonstrates the band’s ability to seamlessly shift between powerful rock anthems and contemplative ballads.

Under Watt’s guidance, the production is crisp and unobtrusive, allowing the band’s raw energy to shine through without diminishing the album’s subtler moments. This balance is particularly striking in the title track, “Dark Matter.” The song features a radio-ready chorus primed for live singalongs, perfectly encapsulating the album’s unwavering perseverance and existential defiance themes.

Pearl Jam, a band born in the crucible of 90s grunge, addresses contemporary issues with the same fervor they brought to their early albums. The band’s ability to remain relevant, engaging with themes like climate change, political upheaval, and societal inequality, speaks to their enduring appeal and the timeless quality of their music. Pearl Jam has evolved, but their core remains unchanged: they are storytellers of the human condition, using their music to provoke, comfort, and inspire. Dark Matter, with its blend of old-school rock and introspective lyricism, continues this tradition, serving as a potent reminder of the band’s legacy and their ongoing evolution.

Dark Matter is a compelling addition to Pearl Jam’s discography, demonstrating that the band still possesses the fiery spirit and creative vigor that made them rock icons. Emerging from the crucible of 90s grunge, Pearl Jam tackles contemporary issues with the same fervor that ignited their early work. Their ability to stay relevant, addressing issues like climate change, political upheaval, and societal inequality, speaks volumes about their enduring appeal and the timeless quality of their music. Pearl Jam has undeniably evolved, but their core essence remains unchanged: they are storytellers of the human condition, using their music to provoke, comfort, and inspire. Dark Matter, with its potent blend of classic rock and introspective lyricism, is a powerful testament to the band’s legacy and ongoing evolution.