Pearl Jam – ‘Dark Matter’ [Album Review]

Before we start, I shall address the elephant in the room, Pearl Jam’s definitive record, Ten. When a band releases a record of this standard, anything and everything they do following it will always live in its shadow and be cursed to be less favourably compared. Ten is a phenomenal record and a legacy for Pearl Jam, so for this review, no comparison should be made.

When the first release from Dark Matter hit the airwaves, my initial response was: “Is this it? It’s good, but I was expecting more!” This is due to the aforementioned curse of Ten, but “Dark Matter,” as a song, stands tall as an exceptional introduction to the next edition of Pearl Jam’s already hit-laden back catalogue of tunes. It is a heavy grunge headbanger that draws inspiration from what made the band stand out in the early days of the Seattle grunge movement. Eddie Vedder’s distinct vocals complement the layered, distorted guitar riff that keeps the song at a comfy pace to nod along to.

The opening track of the record, “Scared of Fear,” gently builds with a trance-like melody that, for a moment at least, feels out of place for a Pearl Jam song, but after only a few seconds, a distorted, chaotic guitar riff kicks in and the unmistakable grunge sound Pearl Jam has perfected over the years takes root. Vedder eventually joins in, ensuring the track is complimented by lyrics that are not the easiest to sing along to on your first listen without having a copy of the lyrics to hand. Still, you’d be forgiven for attempting with your incoherent ramblings. After all, it’s Pearl Jam! How can you not even attempt to sing along when not knowing the words?

“Wreckage” is one of the most captivating tunes on the album. It opens with a clean riff that brings an instant uplifting feeling. This is further complimented by Vedder’s ability to invoke specific emotional responses through his vocal style. The tune is both sad and uplifting in equal measure. It’s safe to say this will (at least I hope) become a fan favourite that will find a place on setlists for years. This is emulated in “Won’t Tell.” While it feels similar to “Wreckage,” it still maintains an identity of feeling much grander in nature with an undertone of melancholy.

The intro to “Upper Hand” steps far away from the grunge style with an extended hypnotic melody. It eventually leads into a slow ballad-like tune that builds as the song moves towards its central point. The track is jammed with gentle yet powerful riffs that complement the almost sad nature of Vedder’s lyrics. As the song draws to its conclusion through layer upon layer of organized chaos, the tension builds before an abrupt stop that feels both out of the blue but also perfectly timed.

The final song on the record, “Setting Sun,” is chilled in nature but has epic moments and closes Dark Matter on a high. Listening to it should be accompanied by a cool breeze with warm sun on your face as these physical senses would enhance the tune to a transcendent level. The track feels perfectly placed as well, feeling like a conclusion to a journey, the end of a fine day, the end of a beautifully written record.

All tracks on Dark Matter are incredible in their own right, with some going hard and fast. The album will not disappoint hardcore Pearl Jam fans. Pearl Jam has a unique skill to their songwriting, they can draw a person in uplifting them out of darkness whist still maintaining a slightly sad tone. The grunge movement died down with the untimely death of Nirvana’s Kurt Cobain; however, it did not fully disappear. Only a few bands now carry forward Grunge, but those that do, do it very well, and with Pearl Jam keeping that spirit alive, it will have a legacy that will endure where other sub-genres of rock have come and gone.

You can read our review of Pearl Jam’s 2020 record, Gigaton, here. Pick up your copy of Dark Matter from here.

Dark Matter Track Listing:

1. Scared of Fear
2. React, Respond
3. Wreckage
4. Dark Matter
5. Won’t tell
6. Upper Hand
7. Waiting for Stevie
8. Running
9. Something Special
10. Got to Give
11. Setting Sun

Run Time: 48:20
Release Date: April 19, 2024
Record Label: Universal

Pearl Jam, photo by Danny Clinch