Marcus King Band to Release New Album ‘Darling Blue’ in September
Marcus King Band is set to release their latest album, titled Darling Blue, on September 26 through American Records/Republic Records. The band introduced two tracks from the album in celebration of the announcement, including “Here Today,” featuring Jamey Johnson and Kaitlin Butts, and “Carry Me Home,” a tribute to Marcus King’s profound love for the Blue Ridge mountains and his homeland. The album draws inspiration from King’s roots in South Carolina, incorporating various genres like country, folk, psychedelic rock, and Motown-era R&B, while also exploring King’s battles with addiction and depression.
King expressed that the album felt like a comfortable space where he and the band organically created songs that resonated deeply with their background. He shared, “Our goal is always to be a vessel and allow the music to flow through us and tap into something that’s already there in the room. But more than anything I’ve done before, this album felt like a real concerted effort to make music for myself, and for ourselves as a band—creating for the love of creating and being as honest as we possibly can. We put everything we had into making something that we love and we have faith that the audience will feel that and love it too.”
Leading up to the album’s reveal, the band dropped “Honky Tonk Hell,” setting a record as King’s fastest single to reach one million streams and “Carolina Honey,” which followed King’s performance at Bonnaroo in front of a 40,000-strong crowd. The Marcus King Band will host the Marcus King Band Family Reunion music festival for the fourth time this summer, bringing the event to Charleston on August 23-24. The festival lineup includes performances by the band itself, Jamey Johnson, Stephen Wilson Jr., Molly Tuttle, and Hiss Golden Messenger.
The album Darling Blue features a tracklist with diverse offerings, including “On & On,” “Heartlands,” “Levi’s & Goodbyes,” and more. The songs encapsulate King’s emotional and musical journey, showcasing his growth and experiences. The record aims to connect with listeners on a personal level, inviting them into King’s world through deeply reflective and honest storytelling. With his roots firmly planted in South Carolina and a profound love for music, Marcus King Band’s Darling Blue promises to deliver a rich, heartfelt musical experience that resonates with audiences far and wide.