Pearl Jam – ‘Dark Matter’ review: some of their strongest material in recent memory

33 years and 12 albums in, Pearl Jam fans would be forgiven for thinking they know exactly what to expect from the band by now. From dominating the ‘90s rock scene with their 13-times platinum breakthrough ‘Ten’ to a middle-of-the-road stint in the ‘00s with lacklustre, bluesy albums ‘Binaural’ and 2006’s self-titled snoozer, it seemed up until now that the band’s heyday had been left in the past. Yet, with ‘Dark Matter’ – their first release since 2020’s ‘Gigaton’ – Eddie Vedder and co. prove they still have some surprises up their sleeve.

From the get-go, the grunge icons deliver some of their most hard-hitting work in recent years, launching into explosive tracks ‘Scared Of Fear’ and ‘React, Respond’, which are not dissimilar from the classics in ‘Vitalogy’ and ‘Vs’. This time around though, they have not only ventured back to their roots, but combined it with their decades of experience.

Nowhere is this refinement showcased better than the title track. Alongside delivering the same rapturous hit of energy that first put Pearl Jam on the scene, it also showcases the instrumental virtuosity of bassist Jeff Ament and lead guitarist Mike McCready, as the two playfully toy with dynamics and show off some scarcely seen flashiness.

Yes, the thing that stands out most about ‘Dark Matter’ is Pearl Jam’s ability to still let rip 33 years down the line, however, this is a bold move that doesn’t always pay off. While the aforementioned tracks stand out as some of the strongest moments on the album, later additions like ‘Running’ seem to fall flat, as a whirlwind of lyrics and heavy riffs arrive in substitute of substance.

This isn’t to say that the presenters have turned their back on their musical evolution though, as a hefty chunk of the LP still pays homage to their more recent, blues-flavoured stylings. ‘Wreckage’, ‘Won’t Tell’ and ‘Something Special’, for instance, sit in the realm of more recent albums like ‘Lightning Bolt’ – taking a stripped-back, almost-country approach as Vedder lays down his signature vocals over the top.

Tucked away in the latter half of the LP though, an interesting shift is introduced in the form of the experimental ‘Upper Hand’ and emotionally-rich ‘Setting Sun’. Here, not only do the band prove they’re in top form musically, but the lyrics from Vedder have the power to take it to the next level. “I held the dream you would stay with me ’til kingdom come/ Turns out it was more like hit and run/ Am I the only one hanging on?” he questions in the latter, as the album draws to a close — a line which feels particularly heavy given the tragic fate that has followed frontmen in the grunge scene.

For those longing for the charismatic songwriting that first put the band on the map over three decades ago, ‘Dark Matter’ will come as a pleasant surprise. Not only does it showcase Pearl Jam reclaiming the charm that first made them a force to be reckoned with back in 1991, it comes alongside some of their most impressive musicianship yet, as well as a determination to take risks after years of playing it safe.

Details

• Release date: April 19, 2024
• Record label: Republic Records

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