“I didn’t like who I was, so I tried to be somebody else,” sings Marcus King halfway through “Darling Blue.” It’s a telling line — one that sums up the journey he’s been on. He’s joined here by Jesse Wells, the viral songwriter who somehow manages to have a tune ready before the news has even cooled, and in its own way that pairing says everything about this record.
Because this is, in many respects, a return. Last year’s “Mood Swings!” leaned hard into soul — which, full disclosure, isn’t my thing — but “Darling Blue” heads back towards the rootsy country blues that first made King so compelling.
The opener “On and On” has a lovely, timeless quality to it, setting the tone perfectly. “The Second One” feels like it’s been lived on the road, helped along by guest spots from Jamey Johnson and Kaitlin Butts. If that’s ready-made for a 70s honky-tonk, then “Honky Tonk Hell” surely is too — even if there’s still a touch of soul, it’s a world away from the last record.
There’s a warmth and familiarity to much of “Darling Blue” — these songs could almost be covers, they feel that classic. “Die Alone” has a Woody Guthrie-style wanderlust, “Levis and Goodbyes” has a Skynyrd looseness, and “Carolina Honey” dips a toe back into more soulful territory.
“No Room for Blue” sits somewhere between the two worlds, while “Blue Ridge Mountain Moon” is a gentle delight. The glorious “Dirt” — featuring Billy Strings — might just be the highlight, though.
King’s voice remains one of the best around — you’ll hear him lending it to the new Bon Jovi record — and while “The Shadows” still won’t make me love soul, the duet with Noah Cyrus is superbly delivered. “Pretty Penny” is as sun-kissed as a summer breeze, and “Carry Me Home” closes things out with a beautifully old-school touch, proving King either belongs to another time or simply doesn’t care about modern trends.
At 29, Marcus King has the world at his feet and the talent to do whatever he damn well pleases. “Darling Blue” feels like the next logical step — the sound of an artist rediscovering what makes him great.
Rating: 8/10
