Dark Matter (Pearl Jam album)

Pearl Jam began working on Dark Matter in 2021, following the release of their previous album Gigaton (2020). The band initially intended to work with producer Andrew Watt, who had previously collaborated with Eddie Vedder on his solo album Earthling (2022). Watt's approach emphasized live performance and spontaneity, with the band recording together in the studio rather than overdubbing separately. The sessions took place at Studio X in Seattle and Henson Recording Studios in Los Angeles, with additional recording at the band's own home studios. The album was mixed by Josh Evans and mastered by Bob Ludwig.

The album's sound is characterized by a return to the band's classic alternative rock and grunge roots, with prominent guitar riffs and a tighter, more focused songwriting approach. Lyrically, Dark Matter explores themes of mortality, social unrest, and personal reflection, with Vedder's vocals ranging from introspective whispers to impassioned shouts. The title track, "Dark Matter," addresses the unseen forces that shape human existence, while songs like "Scared of Fear" and "Running" tackle anxiety and resilience. The album also features a cover of the Beatles' "Now and Then," recorded as a tribute to the late John Lennon.

Pearl Jam announced the album on February 13, 2024, with the release of the lead single "Dark Matter" and a music video directed by Josh Graham. The band promoted the album with a series of intimate club shows and a full North American tour, which included performances at major festivals such as BottleRock and Sea.Hear.Now. The album was released on multiple formats, including vinyl, CD, and digital, with a deluxe edition featuring a bonus disc of live recordings. To support the album, Pearl Jam also launched a limited-edition beer, "Dark Matter Stout," in collaboration with a Seattle brewery.

Dark Matter received generally positive reviews from critics, with many praising the band's renewed energy and Watt's production. On Metacritic, the album holds a score of 78 out of 100, indicating "generally favorable reviews." It debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, selling 90,000 equivalent album units in its first week, and also topped the charts in several other countries, including Australia, Germany, and the Netherlands. The album was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rock Album, and the title track was nominated for Best Rock Song.

Despite its commercial success, Dark Matter has several overlooked details. The album's cover art, a photograph of a dark nebula, was taken by the Hubble Space Telescope and was chosen by the band to reflect the album's themes of the unknown. The song "Won't Tell" features a rare lead vocal by guitarist Stone Gossard, his first on a Pearl Jam album since "Mankind" (1996). The album was recorded in just three weeks, a departure from the band's usual lengthy recording process. Additionally, the track "Upper Hand" was originally written for the soundtrack of the film Black Panther: Wakanda Forever but was not used. The album's title was inspired by a conversation between Vedder and astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson about the nature of dark matter.

Monkeywrench Records

Pearl Jam's independent record label, founded in 2001.

Andrew Watt

American record producer and songwriter who produced Dark Matter.

Billboard 200

The main music chart in the United States, ranking the most popular albums.