Marcus King Young Blood
What is there for a young musician to do when going through a gut-wrenching, heartbreaking breakup other than to write new music? I guess they could go to Disney World since that always worked for me, but I can’t carry a tune in a bucket, so what do I know? 26 year-old blues singer/songwriter/guitarist Marcus King turned his woes toward a pen and a pad rather than the Teacups at the Mad Tea Party inside the Magic Kingdom Park in Orlando.
Marcus reunites with Black Keys front man Dan Auerbach on Young Blood, who helps King navigate through all of the pain during the breakup. The album centers around the effects the relationship had on him from heartbreak to battles with addiction to the personal loss felt from the end of it. With that said, it is apparent in listening to Young Blood that Marcus comes out from the other side feeling hopeful for his future.
The album kicks off with King channeling his inner-Hendrix and Cream on “It’s Too late,” which features a groove most commonly heard in the power-trios that were prevalent in rock during the ‘60s and ‘70s. The song sets the tone for the album detailing how he came to realize that the relationship that caused him all of the aches and pains he was going through was coming to an end and could not be salvaged.
One of the many highlights on the record is “Hard Working Man.” The song is at the center of who Marcus really is. King comes from South Carolina and was raised in a family that put importance on working hard for what you want in life whether it be financial gain, acclaim, or love. This upbringing helped shape the love he has for music. In a recent with interview with Consequence Sound, Marcus said “If you love what you do, you should be willing to break a sweat for it. You should be willing to die for it. I think I’ve always really loved that. I thought it was a really romantic thought: To be so passionate about something that you’d be willing to die for it, because that’s how you feel about the love of your life. That’s how I feel about music.”
Marcus King has set out to bring back the Arena Rock sound that is missing in today’s music. Bands like ZZ Top, Grand Funk Railroad, and Bad Company all had this explosive bombastic sound that was theatrical as well that would fill the bowl of an arena rattling the ears of the tens of thousands in attendance before rushing to the heavens. With Young Blood, Marcus is well off to making this desire a reality.
Catch Marcus King try to blow the roof off of the Ryman in Nashville September 29 and 30.
Check out some of the other amazing new albums out this week…
- Muse Will of the People
- Ingrid Person Good Person
- Julia Jacklin Pre Pleasure
- Valerie June Under Cover
- Jade Novah Moon in Pisces
There are also some incredible greatest hit and reissue packages out this week including…
- Nicki Minaj Queen Radio: Volume 1
- Selena Moonchild Mixes
- Regina Spektor 11:11
- Blondie Against the Odds: 1974-1982
Steven McCash is the Lead Music Writer and Utility Man for SoBros Network. Steven is the host of the ‘Drinking With…’ podcast, and the pioneer of New Music Friday, highlighting each week’s new releases in the world of music in addition to the occasional live show review. He also pitches in as a Nashville lifestyle writer and football analyst (hence the ‘Utility Man’ title). Follow on Twitter: @MC_Cash75
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