Max McNown has released his highly-anticipated sophomore album entitled Night Diving. Featuring 10 noteworthy tracks and produced by Jamie Kenney (Colbie Caillat, Laci Kaye Booth), this collection out via Fugitive Recordings X The Orchard X Columbia Records, follows the Nashville-based Oregon-bred singer/songwriter’s 2024 critically-acclaimed debut album Wandering and his highly-successful viral hit, “A Lot More Free,” which recently earned an RIAA Gold Record Certification celebrating over 150 million streams.
McNown opened up about his latest project with Charted’s Melinda Lorge, where he discussed some of the tracks, his career trajectory, his headlining tour, and more. Night Diving, according to a press release, “explores new and daring sonic terrain while fully affirming McNown’s extraordinary capacity to ease the mind and strengthen the soul.”
In his own words, McNown summed up the album.
“Every song on the record is heavily inspired by my own life and each track is sincere. My hope is that the listener listens closely and feels less alone in whatever they are enduring,” he says.
Opening up the album is the title track, “Night Diving,” which provides the introduction for the nearly 10-track masterpiece. The introspective tune, which McNown wrote alongside Jamie Kenney, and Erin McCarley, is what the 23-year-old singer calls the most “vulnerable” on the record as it digs deep into the depths of darkness with a wish to overcome the cycle of a powerful addiction.
“‘Night Diving’ is the most important song to me on the record and I feel as though it represents my artistry in the most accurate way,” McNown says, backing his reason for why he named the entire record Night Diving.
Sonically, “Night Diving” highlights McNown’s delicate, raspy tone and smokey whispering vocals over a sweeping drum beat and a haunting melody. McNown further explains the focus track with his accompanying music video, which debuted in conjunction with the album.
In the cinematic clip, McNown appears to be battling his inner demons while running away from his desire, which appears as a woman dressed in black. McNown keeps his distance from her, providing a hopeful ending as he comes face to face with a new and brighter version of himself.
“In a broad sense, ‘Night Diving’ is inspired by a battle with addiction,” McNown acknowledges. “I am extremely proud of how the music video turned out. It adequately represents the feelings I want the song to invoke, and the hardship that addiction brings.”
Night Diving includes advance releases, “Better Me For You (Brown Eyes),” “Hotel Bible,” “Marley,” and McNown’s collaboration of “Roses & Wolves” featuring Hailey Whitters. The latter of those tracks finds McNown and Whitters trading verses while sharing a heartfelt goodbye in what seems to be a mutual breakup, singing with a matter-of-fact kind of attitude.
“As soon as I heard Hailey’s voice on a collaboration with Evan Honer, I immediately knew I needed her on ‘Roses and Wolves,’” McNown says of the self-penned track. “That fact, paired with her long and respected country music discography, the collaboration was a no-brainer to me.”
As for “Hotel Bible,” he says, “Hotel Bible was primarily inspired by my current relationship. There are times when you wish someone would see themselves the way you see them, and understand their value in your own life.”
Folks can relate to “Hotel Bible” as it offers an inspiring message to those who are saddled with self-doubt, offering motivating and positive lyrics like, “’Cause you and I know / That I could live a lifetime in your light alone / So don’t you go and dim it / And if that flame turns to smoke / I know where your heart is / Strike a match, light a candle and curse the darkness.”
Elsewhere on the album is “It’s Not Your Fault,” which gives listeners a warm hug with its soft melody beneath forgivable lyrics that highlight the trying times someone may be experiencing. The tune serves as a reminder to be easy on oneself with its repetitive “It’s not your fault” hook.
Meanwhile, “Love I Couldn’t Mend,” finds McNown on the lonely side, giving the perspective of someone who can’t be with the one they love the most. “Freezing In November,”meanwhile, serves as the bookend for Night Diving and enjoys a revisited moment on the album, as it’s one of the most important tunes that McNown has released.
For some background, McNown initially became drawn to music through the influence of his brother’s battle with cancer. Of the thought-provoking track, he says, “Freezing in November” is definitely the song that started everything, and the first line was taken directly from him. Due to that simple fact, one could say I may have never gotten close to where I am without him. His journey continues to inspire my writing to this day.”
After being shaped by his brother’s influence, McNown left his hometown and began chasing his dream, busking on the beaches in Southern Calif., and posting his videos to TikTok, earning millions of followers in the process.
“Singing songs from my greatest influences, I began honing my own writing style,” he says. “Consistency on social media led my songs to be heard by many, and I have been taking steps forward day-by-day ever since.”
Throughout his musical journey, McNown was also offered a role on a major TV show but turned it down saying, “I had already built a brand and a following that I had cultivated over almost a year. To accept and progress throughout the talent show would have taken away from the true and humble beginnings of my career.”
McNown has already embarked on his debut headlining sold-out A Lot More Free Tour, in support of his latest album. The trek, which launched on January 14 features support from Theo Kandel, Johnathan Hutcherson, Barrett, Ireland Owens, and Cate Gartner on select dates. Stops on the tour include New York, Los Angeles, Nashville, and more.
“One of the best parts of my entire career so far has been seeing fans sing my songs back to me in person. Headline tours are surreal because the number of fans keeps growing,” McNown says before reflecting on his success. “The only way I can describe it is that it still doesn’t feel real.”
Of evolving in his artistry with Night Diving, McNown, who says he hopes fans take away “Honesty” and “Authenticity” from his album because “with all my music, my goal is to help the listener feel less alone in whatever they are going through,” says, “To me, albums are snapshots of time…this album is simply the next phase of my life authentically documented in a full-length record.”
NIGHT DIVING TRACKLIST
- Night Diving
- Better Me For You (Brown Eyes)
- It’s Not Your Fault
- Azalea Place
- Love I Couldn’t Mend
- Hotel Bible
- Won’t Let Me Go
- Roses and Wolves feat. Hailey Whitters
- Marley
- Freezing in November (Revisited)
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