PEARL JAM has released a new song “Running,” which can be heard below. The song serves as a second single from band’s twelfth studio album, Dark Matter, out on April 19, 2024 via Monkeywrench Records/Republic Records.
“[Bassist] Jeff [Ament] had the main parts for that one, and we worked it over as a band,” guitarist Stone Gossard told SPIN. “I love the bridge. I don’t know what the hell those chords are that [guitarist] Mike‘s [McCready] playing, but it sounds original.”
“Running” was among the final tracks recorded in collaboration with producer Andrew Watt at Rick Rubin‘s Shangri-La Studio situated in Malibu, California. “It was fun to come up with one more uptempo song,” Gossard said, adding that frontman Eddie Vedder‘s “vocal dexterity here and on a few other spots on the album is just stunning.”
In 2023, PEARL JAM retreated to Shangri-La Studios where they simply plugged in and played under Watt‘s watch. Writing and recording in a burst of inspiration, Dark Matter was born in just three weeks. As a result, Dark Matter channels the shared spirit of a group of lifelong creative confidants and brothers in one room playing as if their very lives depended on it.
The album’s packaging features light painting art by Alexandr Gnezdilov. The album cover art was crafted using a large self-made kaleidoscope. Each letter visible on the cover was individually captured and handwritten midair with a specially designed flashlight to create the pearlescent effect.
PEARL JAM reportedly hosted a listening event for Dark Matter towards the end of January at the Troubadour in West Hollywood. During the gathering, Vedder expressed to those present that he regarded the LP as “our best work.”
Dark Matter track listing:
01. Scared Of Fear
02. React, Respond
03. Wreckage
04. Dark Matter
05. Won’t Tell
06. Upper Hand
07. Waiting For Stevie
08. Running
09. Something Special
10. Got To Give
11. Setting Sun
