Pearl Jam released a new single, “Quick Escape” on Wednesday (March 25). To accompany the song, the band has launched a video game of the same name.
Playable on both mobile and desktop, “Quick Escape” is a “Space Invaders”-like game where you play as one of the band members and shoot invading crafts.
“Quick Escape,” the song, is a politically-based sci-fi tale about a devastated planet ravaged by Donald Trump (“The lengths we had to go to then/To find a place Trump hadn’t fucked up yet”) whose inhabitants ultimately leave to start life over on Mars.
This isn’t the first time the band has launched a game to coincide with a release. In 2017, they launched an 8-bit home-run derby game to promote “Let’s Play Two,” a DVD of the band’s 2016 concert at Wrigley Field.
Following “Dance of the Clairvoyants” and “Superblood Wolfmoon,” “Quick Escape” is the third single from Pearl Jam’s upcoming 11th studio album, Gigaton, out this Friday, March 27. The band released their last album, Lightning Bolt, in 2013.
Said Jeff Ament of the new album in a previous statement:
“I can’t tell you how proud I am about this group of songs. As you know, we took our time and that benefited us taking more chances.”
Added Mike McCready:
“Making this record was a long journey. It was emotionally dark and confusing at times, but also an exciting and experimental road map to musical redemption. Collaborating with my bandmates on ‘Gigaton’ ultimately gave me greater love, awareness and knowledge of the need for human connection in these times.”
The band was supposed to hold listening parties for Gigaton in theaters worldwide this past Wednesday. However, those events had to be cancelled in light of the COVID-19 outbreak. The band’s North American tour met a similar fate, though those dates are expected to be rescheduled. For fans who want a preview of the new album, the band set up a hotline (585-20-PEARL) they can call that will also give them the option to leave a message and receive updates.
