Pearl Jam has been working on their latest album while waiting for their impending US tour, which is expected to begin in August. The band’s guitarist, Stone Gossard, recently chatted with the ‘Kyle Meredith With…’ podcast, saying that the band’s new record is almost finished. The song, a follow-up to their 2020 hit ‘Gigaton,’ was created in partnership with producer Andrew Watt. Watt, who has previously worked with pop vocalists, was credited by the guitarist with infusing new energy into the band’s music, implying a positive tone for the future album. When asked about working with the producer, Gossard stated:
“[Andrew Watt] is so animated; he’s young and, you know, bouncing up and down the walls.” I’m really enjoying the opportunity to work with him, and we’re being blessed by him because he’s revitalizing us. That’s what I believe you’ll hear on the record. There’s just a lot of wonderful energy.” When questioned if the band’s previous sound would be revived with this initiative, he continued: “You must be the judge of that.” I believe he’s taking energy since he’s a fan club member and has seen the band fifty times. However, he is also a top-tier pop producer. He’s like creating Justin Bieber songs. He’s influencing Selena Gomez.
That’s not the case with all of that – you know, he enjoys pop. I like pop music more than he does. But it’s entertaining, and we’re getting closer. We’ll have the record out at some point.” In addition to Pearl Jam’s impending record, Gossard is prepping for the July 28 release of Brad’s farewell album. The album contains the final recordings of singer Shawn Smith, who died in 2019.
Its title single, ‘In The Moment That You’re Born,’ was released in an April music video. Spin’s Jonathan Cohen commented on the video: “The title track is one of Brad’s heaviest songs yet, with Smith singing in a lower register than usual over Gossard and Keith Lowe’s swirling guitar attack.” [Regan] Hagar says the song was recorded over the course of a weekend approximately five years ago, and Smith’s vocals have a gospel feel to them.
Sonically, it’s reminiscent of Smith and Hagar’s other project Satchel, which was frequently active with Brad in the ’90s.” Brad’s latest track may be heard in the video below.