Pearl Jam Drop New Song ‘Running’ From ‘Dark Matter’

Pearl Jam have dropped a second single, “Running,” from their upcoming album Dark Matter, set to arrive April 19.

“Running” is a two-minute blast of break-neck rock and roll, punctuated by a heavy, half-time breakdown and a scorching guitar solo. Eddie Vedder delivers a characteristically mighty vocal performance as well, bellowing during the bridge — “Living in the shadows, crossing my fingers/A date with the gallows and a reprieve not looking likely” — before letting out a throat-scorching hallow during the final refrain, “You got me running!”  

“Running” follows “Dark Matter,” which Pearl Jam shared back in February. The album, Dark Matter, marks the rock band’s 12th LP and first since 2020’s Gigaton. It was produced by Andrew Watt at Rick Rubin’s Shangri-La studio in Malibu, with recording taking just three weeks. A statement on the band’s website said 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.” 

Vedder further boosted expectations at a listening party the previous months, stating, “No hyperbole, I think this is our best work.” 

Pearl Jam will spend much of the year on the road in support of Dark Matter. A first North American leg will kick off May 4 in Vancouver and wrap May 30 in Seattle, with a U.K and European tour to follow. Pearl Jam will return stateside for a second leg that starts Aug. 22 in Missoula, Montana and wraps Sept. 17 in Boston. After that, they’ll spend November playing New Zealand and Australia.