Nashville-based Oregon-raised singer-songwriter on the rise, Max McNown, has released his stunning sophomore album, Night Diving, on Fugitive Recordings x The Orchard x Columbia Records. A graceful fusion of folk and pop from Night Diving arrives as the promising follow-up to McNown’s critically-acclaimed debut album Wandering (released April 2024). Produced by Jamie Kenney (Colbie Caillat, Laci Kaye Booth), Night Diving is a body of work that explores new and daring sonic terrain while fully affirming McNown’s extraordinary capacity to ease the mind and strengthen the soul.
With its otherworldly textures, moody guitar tones, and strangely haunting rhythms, the title track serves as a lived-in meditation on cycles of addiction, co-written with Kenney and singer/songwriter Erin McCarley. “We stepped into the writing room and Erin asked, ‘What’s something in your life that you keep fighting and can’t seem to overcome?’” McNown recalls. “‘Night Diving’ became the answer to that question—it’s a song that addresses addiction and I think it’ll resonate with people on a lot of different levels. The ‘Night Diving’ song and video contain the deepest waters of symbolism I’ve created to date.”
Other standout tracks include “Better Me For You (Brown Eyes)”, offering a personal reflection on rising to the occasion for a once-in-a-lifetime love, “Roses and Wolves”, featuring beautiful vocals from country artist Hailey Whitters, and “Hotel Bible”, a warmhearted antidote to the soul-crushing effects of self-doubt. In bringing the music to life, McNown and Kenney incorporated a number of inventive sonic elements, including a beat constructed from train tracks and banging chains against the floor. McNown’s sophisticated songwriting and arresting voice is set to establish him as country-folk’s fastest rising stars.
Following the release of Night Diving, McNown will be heading overseas to perform across the UK and Europe for the first time, with shows in Berlin, Rotterdam, Stockholm, Oslo and London, next month. Appearing in London at the C2C Festival. At 23, Max McNown has already been on a storied musical journey. Taking control of his future, overcoming personal challenges, and drawing inspiration from his brother who was bravely fighting cancer, McNown packed his bags and drove from remote Oregon to Southern California.
For more information about Max, his music and his appearance at the C2C Festival, please check out his website & social media:
Website | TikTok | Instagram | YouTube | Spotify
Images (c) Nate Griffin
