At just 23, Max McNown has lived a life that’s already shaped his art in profound ways. After leaving home while his brother was battling cancer, McNown pursued his dreams with an intensity that has clearly paid off.
While he turned down TV network offers, his presence on TikTok has amassed millions of devoted fans—a reflection of his growing cultural impact.
McNown’s second album, Night Diving, is a striking evolution from his debut Wilfully Blind, released last autumn. This follow-up is darker and more introspective, setting the tone immediately with the title track. Within the first verse, McNown confesses to “washing my shame away” by drinking “poison,” leading to a devastating chorus: “I’ll hate myself again.” It’s an emotional gut-punch that defines the record’s brooding atmosphere.
That’s not to say McNown has abandoned his knack for catchy melodies. Tracks like “Better Me For You (Brown Eyes)” stand out as timeless, hook-driven hits, ready to light up playlists across generations. However, this track feels like an outlier in an album otherwise drenched in haunting introspection.
Songs such as “It’s Not Your Fault” highlight McNown’s ability to create a claustrophobic, acoustic-based mood. Lines like “the stars in the sky, there’s darkness between” capture the emotional void that pervades much of the record. It’s music that thrives in the shadows, rather than basking in the light.
McNown’s skill as a storyteller shines through when you dig deeper into tracks like “Azalea Place.” On the surface, it’s irresistibly poppy, but a closer listen reveals layers of depth. Similarly, “Love I Couldn’t Mend” dives straight into raw loneliness, while “Hotel Bible” paints a vivid picture of a character “treading water in an avalanche of lies.” Despite their sombre themes, these songs remain polished and radio-ready, reminiscent of Reckless Road’s finest work.
“Won’t Let Me Go” leans into Americana with its stormy imagery and harmonica-infused sound, while “Roses and Wolves” features a gorgeous fiddle arrangement, bolstered by Hayley Witters’ stellar guest vocals. The musicianship throughout the album is nothing short of superb.
The light at the end of the tunnel arrives with “Marley,” a reminder of music’s redemptive power, before the record closes with “Freezing in November,” a track originally featured on his 2023 EP. Here, it feels more weathered and world-weary, serving as a fitting metaphor for the album as a whole—scarred, but beautifully resilient.
With “Night Diving”, McNown has delivered a record that’s equal parts vulnerable and polished, cementing his place as a rising star. His ability to balance emotional depth with chart-ready hooks suggests he’s on the brink of mainstream superstardom. Looks, talent, and an army of online fans—Max McNown might just need to dive at night to avoid the spotlight by this time next year.
Rating 8.5/10
