The Marcus King Band – Darling Blue

Darling Blue is the 2025 album from The Marcus King Band, recorded at Capricorn Studios in Macon, Georgia. It marks the first full reunion of King with his longtime band since Carolina Confessions in 2018. The record spans southern rock, blues, country, funk, gospel and even flashes of disco, all tied together by King’s powerful voice and deeply personal songwriting.

The tracklist ranges from the acoustic intimacy of Die Alone to the barroom grit of Honky Tonk Hell, the swampy soul of Here Today featuring Jamey Johnson and Kaitlin Butts, and the expansive groove of On & On. Throughout, the band balances collaborative energy with Marcus King’s raw expressiveness, creating an album that feels both wide-ranging and unified.

Reviews

“Darling Blue’ is so compelling—from honky tonk bangers to campfire confessionals to disco-laced blues & King’s voice binds it all together.” — Entertainment Focus

“Marcus King returns to his roots with a collective group sound … the twang is amplified … his vocals and powerful guitar solos are pushed to the background to focus on a collective group sound.” — Glide Magazine

“It’s almost as if the latter finds his calls answered … the veteran bluesman crafted Darling Blue with a kind of ease and weightlessness that is evident from the album’s first contemplative notes.” — No Depression

“The album re-incorporates elements of country, folk, psychedelic rock and Motown-era R&B.” — Tinnitist