Marcus King has released “Hero,” the third single from his forthcoming third solo album Mood Swings, set to release on April 5 via American/Republic Records. This latest preview gives yet another taste of the blues-rock rambler’s striking new sound, honed through collaboration with legendary producer Rick Rubin, who joins from behind the boards to define King’s imminent opus. Co-written by Dan Auerbach, this song steers further into King’s country background than any of the cuts so far, balancing the project’s newfound focus on the artist’s soulful vocals against the full-bodied twang and whine of his iconic guitar.

“This is one of those songs that seemed to write itself in a way,” King shares on his new release. “I was at Easy Eye in Nashville just dropping in to say hey to the fellas. I remember being a little troubled from a recent argument with my then girlfriend and also struggling to maintain a fairly new sobriety at that time. In retrospect it feels like a divine intervention that Dan and I both end up at the kitchen table with guitars and this beautiful chord structure comes out of Dan’s palms,” he recalls of The Black Keys member, who also produced his 2022 album Young Blood.

Once again, “Hero” turns from the tracks that preceded it, showing another side of a project determined to be just as multifaceted as King himself. Unlike the swaying shuffle towards self-revelation on “Mood Swings” and the dark night of the soul on “F*ck My Life Up Again,” this latest cut turns the artist’s focus outward, finding elation by accepting the intricacies of another. A stripped-back acoustic and rhythm arrangement sets a mood for reminiscence, which runs away with a surging organ as the artist croons a knowing ode of understanding. The emotional nuance of King’s lyrics continue a theme of resolute sincerity, brimming over from the tragic and terrific life experiences that gave rise to Mood Swings.

“This is one of my favorite cuts on the album, because it has very little to no metaphor, hyperbolic lyrics or any other “writing” techniques- it’s simply a story,” King muses. “What I now recognize as one of the 4 attachment styles, a story of a girl unwilling to rely on anyone for her happiness and hell bent on doing things herself or on her own as to keep from relying on anyone. ‘You weren’t looking for a hero.’”

Listen to “Hero” on all streaming platforms, or watch the official visualizer via YouTube and below. Mood Swings is available to pre-save now. Visit marcuskingofficial.com for more information.