Marcus King can’t seem to “turn off my mind,” he croaks with a scorching rasp. Sampling his forthcoming LP, Young Blood, “Blues Worse Than I Ever Had” sees the American-flecked bluesman sinking into and writhing around in his moody disposition. Electric guitar vibrates, and drums tumble and turn with torrential force. And King simply relays darkness oozing from his pores with frank honesty. The second stanza captures the extent to which he’s sought out various vices to cope, “Drinkin’ don’t help, drugs won’t make a dent / Money might change it, but I ain’t got a cent / Oh just like a cannonball, feel I’m headed for a fall / I got the blues and it’s worse than I’ve ever had.”
Listen to “Blues Worse Than I Ever Had” below.