After spending the last five years developing a parallel solo career, 29-year-old guitarist and singer Marcus King returns to lead the band that bears his name, which includes fellow guitarist Drew Smithers, drummer Jack Ryan, bassist Eric Vogel, and keyboardist Mike Runyon. "Darling Blue", released under the name The Marcus King Band, is a collection of 14 songs with lyrics and sounds strongly inspired by his native South Carolina and the natural landscapes of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Recorded between Macon and Nashville, produced, recorded, and mixed by Eddie Spear (who has worked with Sierra Ferrell, Colby Acuff, Zach Bryan, Devon Gilfillian, etc.), "Darling Blue" blends elements of country, folk, psychedelic rock, and Motown-style soul, recapturing the energetic sound that has always characterized the Marcus King Band's live performances. The album features guest appearances by Jamey Johnson and Kaitlin Butts (on the track "Here Today"), Jesse Welles ("Somebody Else"), Billy Strings ("Dirt Nashville Version"), and Noah Cyrus ("The Shadows").