Leave On A Light: Max McNown’s Heartfelt NEW Album Set To Release September, 25
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Receiving the advance for Max McNown’s upcoming album ( out Sept. 25) Leave On A Light has been such an amazing opportunity for me. I have been following McNown on social media and have been captivated by his voice and songwriting since I first heard “Better Me For You (Brown Eyes).” Getting to experience this record early feels like a gift, one that has only deepened my appreciation for the artist he has become.
Born from a year of extraordinary momentum, including completing his continent-hopping headline tours and collaborating with global DJ/hitmaker Kygo, the forthcoming LP finds McNown more grounded than ever in his artistic vision. It arrives as the fullest expression yet of his singular songwriting voice. Produced by longtime collaborator Jamie Kenney at Nashville’s famed Blackbird Studio, Leave On A Light is centered on an exquisitely detailed form of indie folk/country soul. It channels the whirlwind of the Nashville-based artist’s past few years into songs rooted in gratitude for the people and values that anchor him.
“In a way, most of the songs on this album are love songs,” says McNown. “They’re a tribute to my wife and my family, the people who care about who I am outside of music and give me a place of peace and unconditional love to come home to.”
That spirit of love and appreciation shines through every track. Known for the viral, Platinum-certified hits “A Lot More Free” and “Better Me For You (Brown Eyes)” that launched him to the top of Billboard’s Emerging Artists chart, McNown adds Leave On A Light to a fast-growing list of milestones. These include taking the stage at major festivals like Lollapalooza and Stagecoach, selling out his two-night debut at the historic Ryman Auditorium, touring with superstars like Parker McCollum, and performing on national TV for The Kelly Clarkson Show and The TODAY Show.
The new single “Famous to You” is a gloriously defiant reframing of success and ambition, already out and worth an immediate listen. Also out now is “Take Me Back,” his seamless collaboration with Kygo, a nostalgic blend of both artists’ sounds that feels like the ultimate collab we had no clue we needed.
One song that especially stopped me in my tracks is “First Born Daughter.” It captures such extreme beauty in the way Max celebrates his wife’s strength and spirit as a first-born, while gently looking ahead to the possibility of becoming a father. There’s a quiet, profound joy in those lines about a little one who might one day carry her middle name and his whole heart, hoping she is her spitting image. It is tender, real, and deeply special, reflecting the pure love that runs through the entire album.
Leave On A Light is uplifting, real, and packed with so much love and appreciation for his family, his wife, and for who he has been able to become through it all. From the adoring serenade of “Selah’s Song” for his little sister to the heartfelt inquiries into true connection on tracks like “Something to Someone” and “Isn’t That Love?,” this record showcases McNown's ability to write, feel, and deliver vocally with remarkable honesty. The catchy tunes, happy vibes, and pure love are impossible to get enough of. I simply did not want this album to end.
Ultimately, Leave On A Light reveals a rare artist whose breakout success has brought him even closer to his truest instincts. Amid an explosive ascent that solidified his status as one of his generation’s most compelling singer/songwriters, the Oregon native came to a deeper conviction in music’s power to honor what matters most, the relationships that sustain him.
I think fans are going to be beyond excited to listen to this album in its entirety. It is a beautiful collection put together perfectly, one that encourages us all to look inward and feel a deeper gratitude for the people and moments that light our way. Keep an eye out for the full release, Leave On A Light is something truly special. ~Missy
Pre-Save Leave On A Light Here
About Missy Wolf
Co-Founder, Editor, Journalist & Vice President of the American Country Music AssociationFrom an early age I knew music and entertainment were in my blood. I have always been enamored with the idea of being in this industry, though I never wanted to be a front and center "Star". Taking the audience behind the scenes for up close conversations with the artists they love is where I want to be. Life in lyrics has always been my style, so as my favorite country artist Wade Hayes sings, I am living my life and chasing my dreams! Conducting interviews, meeting talented people and sharing stories and adventure are my passion. My new favorite hashtag is #iaskyouanswer, so stay tuned for more interviews, articles and adventures!
