Eddie Vedder - Earthling (2022)
Eddie Vedder – Earthling (2022)
Earthling is the third solo studio album by American singer-songwriter Eddie Vedder — best known as the frontman of Pearl Jam — released on February 11, 2022 via Republic Records / Seattle Surf. It marked Vedder’s first non-soundtrack solo LP in over a decade, following Ukulele Songs in 2011, and showcased a more expansive rock sound than many of his previous solo works.
Album Overview
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Artist: Eddie Vedder
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Title: Earthling
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Released: February 11, 2022
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Genre: Rock / Alternative rock
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Length: ~47–48 minutes
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Label: Republic / Seattle Surf
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Producer: Andrew Watt
It features a full band approach and notable collaborations, blending classic rock influences with energetic modern songwriting — a contrast to his more stripped-down solo releases.
Track Listing
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Invincible
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Power of Right
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Long Way
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Brother the Cloud
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Fallout Today
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The Dark
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The Haves
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Good and Evil
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Rose of Jericho
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Try
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Picture
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Mrs. Mills
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On My Way
Personnel & Collaborations
While the album is under Vedder’s name, Earthling features contributions from a number of talented musicians:
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Eddie Vedder – vocals, guitar, keyboards, percussion, ukulele on select tracks, and creative direction
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Stevie Wonder – harmonica on Try
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Elton John – vocals and piano on Picture
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Ringo Starr – drums on Mrs. Mills
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Additional musicians include Chad Smith (drums), Josh Klinghoffer (guitar/keys), Glen Hansard (guitar/vocals), Chris Chaney (bass), and producer Andrew Watt on various instruments.
These collaborations give the album a diverse sonic palette spanning classic rock, punk-ish anthems, ballads, and rhythm-driven grooves.
Musical Style & Themes
Earthling showcases Vedder exploring a wide range of rock-oriented styles:
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Arena-ready rock: tracks like Invincible and Brother the Cloud open with high energy.
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Classic pop/rock sensibilities: Picture features an Elton John duet that evokes timeless piano-based arrangements.
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Reflective balladry: songs such as Long Way and The Haves focus on personal introspection and emotional resonance.
Critics generally praised the album for its variety and maturity, noting that Vedder sounds confident and energized throughout. Earthling received generally favorable reviews with a Metacritic score indicating positive reception.
Cover Art & Design
The cover art for Earthling visually reflects the album’s thematic blend of raw energy and introspection:
Visual Description
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The artwork consists of a photographic portrait of Eddie Vedder, stylized in earthy, slightly desaturated tones that evoke a sense of groundedness and elemental truth.
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The typography is bold and straightforward, giving prominence to Vedder’s name and the album title without overwhelming the imagery.
Design Themes
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Elemental imagery: The term Earthling and the earth-grounded cover evoke notions of human universality and connection to the world around us.
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Minimalist aesthetic: The focus remains squarely on Vedder himself, tying the visual directly to the personal nature of the music.
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Fans have also noted that the font and composition give off a slightly classic/retro feel — some describing it as reminiscent of vintage rock LPs, while others see a touch of cinematic widescreen aesthetic.
Various vinyl editions (including gatefold sleeves and colored vinyl pressings) further highlight the album’s premium presentation in physical formats.
Commercial Reception & Singles
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Early singles included “Long Way”, “The Haves”, and “Brother the Cloud” — all released before the full album and well-received by fans.
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While not aiming for mainstream pop chart domination, Earthling solidified Vedder’s status as a strong solo force and was supported through touring with his band The Earthlings.
Themes & Artistic Context
Earthling represents a mature rock artist reflecting on life, society, and personal experience — themes Vedder has long explored with Pearl Jam but here filtered through a solo lens and broader musical palette:
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Optimism vs. struggle: Tracks like Invincible express resilience and determination.
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Human connection and division: The Haves and Good and Evil examine societal contrasts and emotional landscapes.
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Cinematic sensibility: A few songs — especially Picture — feel larger in scope, almost like solo rock cinema.
Overall, it’s a celebration of rock influence, collaboration, and Vedder’s evolution as a solo artist.
Fun Facts & Trivia
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First solo LP in over a decade: It was his first full album of original solo material since Ukulele Songs (2011).
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Multi-legend collaborators: Featuring music icons like Stevie Wonder, Elton John, and Ringo Starr — remarkable cross-generational partnerships.
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Live backing band: To tour the album Vedder formed a group known as The Earthlings, featuring Glen Hansard, Chad Smith, and Josh Klinghoffer.
