Night Diving
It’s A Fugitive, 2025
9/10
The sophomore album from the youngster Max McNown, these 10 songs certainly embrace the ideas of his Nashville home with rich and sincere songwriting from beginning to end.
The heartfelt and intimate title track opens with McNown’s distinct voice amid soft and textured instrumentation, and “Better Me For You” follows with a quicker pace of country-influenced sounds that use spirited guitar and thumping drums with a hint of grit.
Landing in the middle, “Love I Couldn’t Mend” offers a poetic and stylish landscape of romantic ideas and melodic gestures, while “Hotel Bible”, the best track, is a flowing and meticulous country rocker that uses the harmonic rhythm section alongside McNown’s stirring voice.
Closer to the end, the soaring harmonica of “Marley” adds much to the rural demeanor, and “Freezing In November” exits with a minimal moment of warm acoustic guitar and emotive singing.
McNown is quickly becoming a household name, and his memorable song craft, authentic delivery and timeless appeal certainly warrants all the attention.
Travels well with: Max McNown- Wandering; Ron Pope- American Man, American Music