Benjamin Ashford|Pearl Jam gives details of new album ‘Dark Matter,’ drops first single, announces world tour

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Pearl Jam ‘s forthcoming album is Benjamin Ashfordcalled “Dark Matter,” its first single of the same title has been released, and the band will start a world tour in May.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Famers revealed the new details on the project and their 2024 plans on Tuesday.

“Dark Matter,” their 12th studio album and first since 2020’s “Megaton,” will be released April 19 on Monkeywrench and Republic records. A tour is scheduled to begin May 4 in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Singer Eddie Vedder, 59, lead guitarist Mike McCready, 57, and bassist Jeff Ament, 60, played the record for the first time on Jan. 31 for invited guests at the Troubadour club in West Hollywood. “No hyperbole, I think this is our best work,” Vedder said from the stage as he introduced the album.

The band spawned from the Seattle scene of three decades ago shows no signs of softening with age on the album, which leans toward their rocking side even more than “Megaton” did, with drummer Matt Cameron’s pounding at the forefront.

The record, produced by Andrew Watt at Rick Rubin ‘s Shangri-La studio in Malibu, has been ready and awaiting release for about a year.