Marcus King bares his soul in an acoustic performance of his new song “Hero.” Here, Marcus shares a stripped-back version of his latest single from his forthcoming record Mood Swings, releasing April 5. 

Mood Swings marks a pivotal moment for Marcus King as he transitions from Young Blood’s rock-and-roll anthems to more soulful ballads. This album presents the artist’s most vulnerable side yet as he plunges new sonic and emotional depths. This is King drenched in the limelight, more exposed than ever before as he steps out from behind the shadow of his guitar. He reins in on the ferocity behind his signature guitar riffs, but the intensity is equally matched – if not rivaled – by the sheer force of his voice. 

“Hero,” co-written with Dan Auerbach, is a pensive track. King reflects on a past relationship with the sort of self-awareness and clarity that’s only afforded in hindsight: “Tried to prove that you were wrong but you told me all along / That you weren’t looking for a hero,” he sings. Despite their weight, the lyrics are buoyed by bluesy melodies. King isn’t looking back with any regret or remorse. Instead, he’s determined to make peace with where he’s been and where he’s headed.

On this album, King’s lush vocals are charged with raw emotion as he relives the darkest period of his life. His lyrics delve into the trials of addiction and the anguish of heartache, retracing his steps all the way back to the edge of the steep precipice where a past version of himself almost lost his balance. It was legendary music producer Rick Rubin who helped Marcus regain his footing.

With Rubin’s support, King learned to befriend the demons plaguing his psyche. He now uses his mental health struggles to fuel his creativity instead of letting himself succumb to their crushing weight. The rich texture of Marcus’s voice is a testament to all that he’s learned on his journey to the brink and back, and he wants this album to be a refuge for others navigating a similar path. His warm Southern twang is an outstretched hand, ready to usher a fellow traveler back to more solid ground.