26 September 2025
Newsdesk
The Marcus King Band has officially released their highly anticipated new studio album, Darling Blue, via American Recordings/Republic Records. This project reunites the Grammy-nominated Marcus King with his longtime live band for their first studio record since 2018’s Carolina Confessions, offering fans a deeply personal and cohesive collection of songs.
Heavily inspired by the Blue Ridge Mountains in King's home state of South Carolina, the album is a sweeping blend of country, folk, psychedelic rock, and Motown-era R&B. King notes that the recording process “truly felt like home,” emphasizing the band’s goal to be a vessel for the music and to create an honest body of work. The songs continue the conversation about King’s experience with addiction and depression, making this a raw and personal effort.
Alongside the album release, the band is sharing the new track, 'The Shadows,' featuring GRAMMY-nominated artist Noah Cyrus. King said Cyrus was the immediate choice to embody the song's essence, stating, "Noah’s voice brought the song to a level I didn’t realise it could reach. Truly an inspiration to share a song together.”
Darling Blue has been teased with several high-profile singles. 'Honky Tonk Hell' became the fastest single of King’s career to hit one million streams. Other tracks, including 'Heartlands' and 'Here Today' (featuring Jamey Johnson and Kaitlin Butts), drew praise from Billboard for their “freewheeling, jam-band feel.”
The band is currently underway with The Darling Blue Tour (Pt. 1), a 13-date North American run, with support from artists like Angel White, Laci Kaye Booth, and Pearl. Furthermore, the Marcus King Band will make their Austin City Limits debut with a taping on November 4 for Season 51 of the iconic program. As King’s journey—which began with his Grammy-nominated solo debut El Dorado and continued through his recent albums—hits this new milestone, Darling Blue cements his status as one of music’s most compelling voices.
