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“There’s so much soul in all of King’s work — it’s like he can’t help but infuse everything he creates with a certain kind of rawness.”– Consequence Of Sound
“His upcoming album, the guitar-heavy, bruising Young Blood (out Aug. 26), sounds like it’s been animated by the gods of hedonistic Seventies rock & roll.”
– Rolling Stone Magazine
Friday July 15 – Marcus King today announced the release of ‘Blood On The Tracks’, the latest preview, and lead single from his forthcoming solo album, Young Blood. The track was co-written with Dan Auerbach and songwriting legend Desmond Child, renowned for his work with rock acts including Alice Cooper, Joan Jett and Aerosmith.
Over a swampy groove, gritty guitars and a thumping bass sound that offers sonic tribute to Free’s Andy Frazer, King’s soulful vocals smoulder in a moment of reflection and hope, compelled to finally leave “his sins in the past”.
Recalling back to a productive session with Childs, King shared, “‘Blood on the Tracks’ was the first song we wrote for the record, it was also my first time meeting Desmond Child. He’s 100% unapologetically himself at all times, and that charmed me immediately. I really enjoyed working with Dan and Desmond on this tune, they both have such an acute sensibility for a “hook” it is scary!” he continued “The song essentially tells the story of moving forward or being taken down by the trouble you are facing – catching the train or the bloodier alternative. Every writing session for this record started with a conversation, an opportunity for my collaborators to take a peek inside my soul and the pain I was carrying around.”
Accompanying the song release, King also dropped a live video, created at Auerbach’s Easy Eye Sound Studio, it features acclaimed musicians including Chris St. Hilaire on drums and Nick Movshon on bass.
Young Blood’s tales of excess, salvation, break up and addiction, draw on some difficult and personal moments. Despite challenging personal circumstances, King has made his most accomplished work to date.
The album has already received widespread critical acclaim. SPIN praised King’s “classic ’70s rock vibes.” Brooklyn Vegan exclaimed, “If you’ve got a place in your heart for stuff like The Allman Brothers, Lynyrd Skynyrd, or ZZ Top, it’d be tough to deny that Marcus truly captures the spirit of that era (and also really shreds.)” and King wowed US TV audiences with his electrifying performance of ‘Hard Working Man’ on the Tonight Show.
King has been an outlier from the very beginning. A fourth-generation musician from Greenville, SC, who learned guitar at age 3 from his blues rock musician father Marvin King. He navigated troublesome school years to quickly become known as one of the most promising young artists of our time. He followed his breakout success with The Marcus King Band, with his Auerbach-produced 2020 solo album debut, El Dorado. It garnered a GRAMMY® Award nomination in the category of “Best Americana Album” and critical praise from NPR to Rolling Stone.
King will continue to tear up the rulebook with the release Young Blood, redefining the route to modern rock stardom with a timeless sound and a singular voice, equal parts grease and grit, set to soon establish him as one of the most soulful vocalists of his generation.
Marcus King is currently on a world tour and recently performed at dates across the UK and Europe. He has just announced a further huge run of shows across the USA for the autumn including two nights at New York’s Beacon, Nashville’s legendary Ryman and Atlanta’s Tabernacle. For more information please visit: https://MK.lnk.to/tour
Young Blood will be released August 26 on Rick Rubin’s American Records/Republic Records/Snakefarm. Pre-order available here: https://MK.lnk.to/youngblood
Photo credit – Danny Clinch
“Gifted youngster realises aim to make a classic Americana record… the Carolinian brings innate soulfulness to his performances” – Uncut
“This [Rod] Stewart alike guitar-slinger won’t ever let you down… never a dull moment” – Mojo
“A soul-drenched country cracker… underpinning a set of songs that sound like someone’s favourite record collection” – Classic Rock
“King is the complete package. Retro-styled yet forward facing, he plays searing blues guitar, delicate acoustic country and sings like an angel with buckets of soul” – The Sun
“His music reveals an old soul” – The New York Times
