Marcus King Band has done it again with an incredible album. Darling Blue is an album that takes listeners on a journey through a blend of Americana, rock, and blues influences, accompanied by raw emotional confessions.
We are welcomed into the album through the acoustic opening of “On & On”, held down by a simple drumbeat. The pattern is pierced by King’s distinctive voice. One of the song’s highlights is the fun harmonies, which build throughout the song. The chorus and tag are extremely catchy and will have the listener singing along, “On and on and off again.” The ending brings us back to the beginning with a simple instrumental, fronted by King’s voice, and this time backed by a simple harmony.
“Heartlands” stands out as a true highlight of the album. King’s soulful vocals are complemented by vivid lyrics, such as “I see you in every other neon sign.” The imagery paints a clear picture, drawing the listener deeper into the song’s world. A simple melody floats over the upbeat instrumental, characterized by strings. The energy escalates in the extremely catchy chorus, where the vocals chant “Love you like a Sunday morning, hallelujah,” showcasing a deep and almost spiritual love. Throughout the track, instrumental breaks frame the catchy chorus. The song winds down with a melody surrounded only by an acoustic guitar and vocals, landing on the final word of the song, the title.
Jesse Welles made an appearance on “Somebody Else”. The electric guitar played a catchy riff throughout the song, adding a touch of rock to the piece. The pair’s voices joined in a rich harmony on the chorus, and the “La la la” over the bridge, while the guitar fills the gaps in between. Lyrically, “Somebody Else” paints a picture of a struggle with identity and conforming to another’s expectations with lyrics such as, “She didn’t like who I was so I tried to be somebody else.” The song felt like a true emotional confession while coming to terms with the truth. The instrumentals enhanced the emotional theme, with a harmonica that accented sections and took center stage for a solo. Throughout the song, there are organ swells that create a lush and immersive environment for the listener.
“Levi’s and Goodbyes” took the rock and roll vibe of “Somebody Else” and ran even further with it. King’s vocals brought a raw intensity over the high-energy instrumental. The song features a fun, harmonized guitar solo that effortlessly fades into strings and acoustic guitar before the end of the song, making for a special and unique transition.
Noah Cyrus joins in on the album on “The Shadows”. The song begins with an acoustic guitar and a punctuated bassline before drums, lap steel guitar, and strings interrupt to characterize the rest of the instrumental. Lyrical themes of absolute devotion are present throughout the song, including “I would risk it all, I would sell my soul” and “I’d follow you even to the shadows.” King takes over the first verse, joined in harmony by Cyrus on the chorus, then hands over the second verse to her. Brass instruments introduce themselves into the song on the verses, adding a spark. The chorus repeats at the end, ending in a beautiful harmony, decorated by cinematic strings and punctuated by the bass line. This is a song that would play perfectly in a movie under a moonlit pavilion while characters give a whole-hearted confession of love to one another.
“Pretty Petty” showcases King’s vocal talent with an instrumental completely stripped of anything but an acoustic guitar. It is vulnerable, emotional, and confrontational. The lyrics call out a love interest, singing, “It’s pretty petty when you only let me go halfway.” He expressed a need for clarity and resolution, directly confronting the person.
The final track, “Carry Me Home”, makes for the perfect conclusion, beginning with a simple vocal and guitar before being met with the whole instrumental at once. The song perfectly showcases King’s voice, surrounded by vocal swells that elevate the verse and harmonies supporting it. The first chorus is met with a turnaround which transitions into the simple melody of the verse again. The second chorus features a repeated melody with lyrics that elaborate on the theme. A solo, accompanied by strings, organ, and harmonies, fills the place of a bridge before returning to the powerful chorus. The album concludes with King’s raw and emotional vocals only paired with a simple piano.
Overall, the album perfectly crafted a vivid world with its lyrical content, instrumental choices, and beautiful vocal lines. The religious metaphors throughout the album elevate the intensity of the emotion felt in each song. King’s voice was a true highlight with melodies created in such a way that they showcase it while also keeping true to the theme of the song. The album includes features from Billy Strings, Jesse Welles, and Noah Cyrus, who elevate the album. Darling Blue is characterized by its multi-genre influences that are fronted by intoxicating vocals that carry stories of raw emotion. It is the perfect listen for anyone seeking an authentic musical experience.
