Marcus King

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JM Collective

Marcus King leaning on a fence.

Marcus King

$45.

media release: GRAMMY®-nominated singer-songwriter Marcus King released Mood Swings, his Rick Rubin produced album, via American/Republic Records on April 5. Listen to Mood Swings HERE

  Mood Swings is King’s magnum opus, an eclectic symphony of soul that is uniquely timeless and current. Drawing on King’s darkest moments, it became a beacon of hope for King as he created it, and will be a refuge for anyone going through similar challenges in their lives. Legendary producer Rick Rubin who has worked with everyone from Adele to Johnny Cash, was instantly drawn to King’s guitar playing, singular voice and songwriting, and after witnessing a King live performance, one day randomly cold-called him to float the idea of working together.  

Album stand out track, “Delilah,” which King debuted early on The Tonight Show and again during release week on The Kelly Clarkson show, is a piano driven rock classic. On the track, King stated, “‘Delilah’ is one of the first songs I co-wrote after moving to Nashville in 2018. It's a coming of age story and a fine example of a song I was just really wanting to get out and was so glad when we finally figured out how to give it some life.” Listen to track / watch “Delilah” visualizer HERE

  Despite its often bleak subject matter, which draws on King’s challenges with mental health and times when he was truly on the brink and considering taking his own life, Mood Swings is an album with a message of hope. Rubin helped King find a new personal and sonic approach and instead of crumbling under the weight of his anxiety, Rubin inspired him to shift his perspective. “He helped me view mental health as a writing partner in a way,” recalls Marcus. “I’ve learned it can give me that creative spark.” On the album, we find King gracefully standing in his own truth, accepting the challenges he’s faced and coming out the otherside a man renewed. It is a rebirth of both his sound and of his mind.  

King is a GRAMMY® nominated fourth generation musician from Greenville, SC, who started playing guitar at 8 years old following in the footsteps of his guitarist Father and Grandpa. Logging thousands of miles on the road as “The Marcus King Band,” he established himself with unparalleled performance prowess and a dynamic live show. His solo debut El Dorado, garnering a GRAMMY® Award nomination in the category of “Best Americana Album.” In between packing venues on his own, he performed alongside Chris Stapleton (he opens for him once again at U.S. Bank Stadium - Minneapolis), Greta Van Fleet, and Nathanial Rateliff in addition to gracing the bills of Stagecoach and more with one seismic show after the next. He has been open about his challenges with mental health in his songs and throughout his career, and has launched various mental health initiatives, most recently a guitar auction collaboration with MusiCares.

Marcus King Finds Soul Salvation on ‘Mood Swings.’ Producer Rick Rubin helps the South Carolina singer-guitarist create a lush safe space” Rolling Stone

  “Blending Southern rock, country, and soul.” Brooklyn Vegan

  “The album can overall best be described as: What if Al Green also played a mean axe and made a record about dealing with anxiety and depression?” Variety

  "...Expanding the reach of the blues into the worlds of soul, R&B, hip-hop, and pop for the 21st century while not neglecting the past that laid their foundations." No Depression

  “This is King drenched in the limelight, more exposed than ever before as he steps out from behind the shadow of his guitar..” FLAUNT Magazine

“...a seamless blend of country and soul” American Songwriter

“Sweet, healing soul music.” GRAMMY.com