Pearl Jam returns today with their Andrew Watt-produced Dark Matter, the band's 12th studio album and one that frontman Eddie Vedder says they had "no lack of good material" to choose from... "just quality piece of music after quality piece of music."
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After making their return earlier this year with Dark Matter's title track, Seattle Alt-rock faves Pearl Jam have officially arrived with their 2024 11-track offering today, April 19, recorded over three weeks at Shangri-La Studios in Malibu, CA helmed by multi-GRAMMY award-winning super-producer Andrew Watt,
Speaking with us during our Audacy Check In just before release day, singer Eddie Vedder described working with Watt as an absolute joy, whose passion for music in all forms caused the band to feel excitement in new, almost embarrassing ways. “It's pretty over the top,” Eddie says of Watt's ability to bring the best out of the band during their sessions with him. “it comes from such a pure place that it’s just truly undeniable."
"You're always trying to do your best, but it turns out you could do even better.” Vedder said, and Watt was just the right person to squeeze every bit out of each member. "There was no lack of good material... it was just quality piece of music after quality piece of music,” coming from the band, he says humbly, and thanks to Watt, "every instrument has its own lane.”
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"It's a lot heavier than you'd expect,” guitarist Mike McCready explained earlier this year. “There's the melody and energy of the first couple of records. Andrew pushed us to play as hard and melodic and thoughtful as we've done in a long time. I feel like Matt Cameron's drumming has elements of what he did in Soundgarden." He added, "For better or worse, you're gonna hear a lot more lead guitar from me -- stuff I haven't done in a long time. I went crazy..."
“It felt a little daunting, the sound of the record is galvanized and has a lot of strength to it,” Vedder said of the final result, though on the fence about whether or not he believed they could properly introduce it to fans in a live setting. However, after just a few practices together, he admitted just before release day, "That question has been answered in the last couple of days.”
The band will kick off their 2024 world tour in Canada on May 4, criss-crossing the globe through November with a number of festival dates included as well. Pick up Pearl Jam's Dark Matter now and hear new songs in the mix on Audacy's Pearl Jam Radio. Take a look at the tracklisting and a full list of 2024 tour dates below.
Pearl Jam - Dark Matter
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
Pearl Jam - 2024 Dark Matter tour dates: TICKETS
May 04 | Vancouver, BC | Rogers Arena
May 06 | Vancouver, BC | Rogers Arena
May 10 | Portland, OR | Moda Center
May 13 | Sacramento, CA | Golden 1 Center
May 16 | Las Vegas, NV | MGM Grand Garden Arena
May 18 | Las Vegas, NV | MGM Grand Garden Arena
May 21 | Los Angeles, CA | Kia Forum
May 22 | Los Angeles, CA | Kia Forum
May 25** | Napa Valley, CA | BottleRock Festival
May 28 | Seattle, WA | Climate Pledge Arena
May 30 | Seattle, WA | Climate Pledge Arena
Jun 22 | Dublin, IE | Marlay Park
Jun 25 | Manchester, UK | Co-op Live
Jun 29 | London, UK | Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Jul 02 | Berlin, DE | Waldbühne
Jul 03 | Berlin, DE | Waldbühne
Jul 06 | Barcelona, ES | Palau Sant Jordi
Jul 08 | Barcelona, ES | Palau Sant Jordi
Jul 11** | Madrid, SE | Mad Cool Festival
Jul 13** | Lisbon, PT | NOS Alive Festival
Aug 22 | Missoula, MT | Washington-Grizzly Stadium
Aug 26* | Indianapolis, IN | Ruoff Music Center
Aug 29 | Chicago, IL | Wrigley Field
Aug 31 | Chicago, IL | Wrigley Field
Sep 03 | New York, NY | Madison Square Garden
Sep 04 | New York, NY | Madison Square Garden
Sep 07 | Philadelphia, PA | Wells Fargo Center
Sep 09 | Philadelphia, PA | Wells Fargo Center
Sep 12 | Baltimore, MD | CFG Bank Arena
Sep 15 | Boston, MA | Fenway Park
Sep 17 | Boston, MA | Fenway Park
Sep 27 | Dana Point, CA | Doheny State Beach | Ohana Festival
Sep 29 | Dana Point, CA | Doheny State Beach | Ohana Festival
Nov 08 | Auckland, NZ | Go Media Stadium Mt Smart
Nov 13 | Gold Coast, AU | Heritage Bank Stadium
Nov 16 | Melbourne, AU | Marvel Stadium
Nov 21 | Sydney, AU | Giants Stadium
* Rescheduled date from 2022
** Festival dates are already on sale