Is Dark Matter a breakup album? (not the band)

Spunkie

I guess Ed is on the acceptance side of things just being, rather than right/wrong, black/white, good/evil side of things yet still struggling with life/death

pistol pete

Every song except Upper Hand and Something special seem to have end of a relationship themes.  Even React Respond (hearing about a partner’s betrayal) and Dark Matter (how it affects everyone else close to the partnership) can be interpreted that way. 

BlueLedbetter

Some of it is but some could be about death or friendship ending Ed has loss like everyone 

Spunkie

pistol pete said:

Every song except Upper Hand and Something special seem to have end of a relationship themes.  Even React Respond (hearing about a partner’s betrayal) and Dark Matter (how it affects everyone else close to the partnership) can be interpreted that way. 

I would argue that "Upper Hand" is a paradox of not having a choice over life's death .

I would love to hear elaborations on your thematic viewpoint on all (or any) the other songs! 

Spunkie

When I look at the thread title change, I'm reminded again about how this album was recorded over two different periods in time.

Bentleyspop

It can easily construed as an end of a relationship song.
An ending caused by a death or a breakup or just drifting apart. 

Could be about a significant other 
A pet
A best friend
A band mate
A family member 

For me it's about a significant other

kmcmanus

It can be interpreted multiple ways. Micro and macro. The chorus of Scared of Fear could be about a couple that’s lost their spark, it could also be about a society who can’t stop yelling at strangers over what beer brands they’re boycotting. Upper Hand & Setting Sun hit my ear more as mortality songs than breakup songs but both are intense never-see-you-again moments so it could be either or both. Most of the album can be read both ways. Although I think Wreckage is more clearly relationship based while DM & Running feel more clearly societal if not straight up political.
The ambiguity & multiple meanings have always been a strength of EV, and I think really well done this time. Most of these songs can mean what you need them to mean.

trees

It's a great album like the rest of all thier Albums. 
Very talented professional musicians .

CROJAM95

Being Ed
i hear a lil of end to civility between countrymen/ women in scared of fear

we could get together and disagree/ present day it’s polarized 

but could very well be about personal relationships too

bicyclejoe

I actually think it's a reconciliation album.

lastexitlondon

I hear end of relationship in pretty much every song and so has every one i know who has listened. It's a sad lyric album

Tim Simmons

I think theres so many things in the world that are threatening to end that could be influencing lyrics. I don't think this is about any personal relationship. Especially if it was recorded over a year ago.

Loujoe

Spunkie said:

And there's like a reference to a secret (not the won't tell ones). This to me suggests extra-curricular marital affairs, like Sleeping by self. That would border

taboo, shameful topic etc and should not be but is cuz of the christianity construct of marriage versus people accepted as animals who just like to f@**

primussucks

Wreckage is definitely about the ending of a relationship.  I can definitely see how other songs on the record could be interpreted that way as well but songs like Scared of Fear to me is more of Ed reflecting back to a time when his fellow musician friends were all alive.  I think Setting Sun also reflects back on that as well.  
But I think people should keep in mind that half of this record was recorded 3 years ago before they start speculating....
Dark Matter was recorded over 2 recording sessions.  The first in July 2021, the 2nd in March 2023.

Abe Froman

Listened for the first time last night. All throughout the album I hear relationship issues with a significant other 🤷🏼‍♂️. It is definitely a dark/sad album lyrically 

URthekey

I get the feeling it’s a reckoning with the reality that death is certain, and life is not.

OfThePearl

URthekey said:

I get the feeling it’s a reckoning with the reality that death is certain, and life is not.

I think that is the most accurate and concise evaluation I have seen yet. Included in that context are relationship endings of all types.

kmcmanus

Whether your wife leaves with the reaper or leaves with the milkman, you will never see her again 😉

Spunkie

^ not if you don't give a fuck who's wrong or right?