Blab Music
Max McNown Announces Third Studio Album Leave On A Light for September 25
Max McNown, the Nashville songwriter whose songs have crossed borders, just confirmed that his third studio album, Leave On A Light, will hit shelves and streaming platforms on September 25 2026 through Fugitive Recordings.
The news arrived alongside the Australian radio premiere of the new single “First Born Daughter.” The track signals the album’s focus on gratitude, family, and the people who give stability beyond a music career.
“First Born Daughter’ is an easy‑listening track inspired by the woman I bet my life on,” McNown said. “As a middle child, I know every position in the birth order can come with its own benefits and quirks. As the oldest child in her family, my wife has developed negative views of some of her personality traits, traits I oddly love the most.” The song flips the script and shines a light on how marrying her was the best decision he’s ever made.
Recorded at Nashville’s Blackbird Studio, the 17‑track collection was produced by longtime collaborator Jamie Kenney. McNown expanded his creative circle with contributions from songwriter Julian Bunetta and guitarist Charlie Worsham. While the production explores a wider musical palette that blends indie folk and country soul, the emphasis remains on narrative songwriting and emotional honesty.
In a candid look at the album’s heart, McNown said many of the songs ultimately became tributes to those closest to him. “In a way, most of the songs on this album are love songs,” he explained. “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.”
The tracklist reads: “Overdose (Slow Down),” “First Born Daughter,” “Done For,” “Something to Someone,” “Selah’s Song,” “World Change Me,” “Famous to You,” “Same, Same Sun,” “Isn’t That Love?,” “Heart You Didn’t Break,” “Comets,” “Make my Peace,” “Standstill (My My My),” “Greatest Audience of All,” “The Way She Says Goodbye,” “Space For You,” and “The Room.” “Something to Someone” explores the universal desire to be understood and accepted, while the previously released single “Done For,” issued earlier in 2026, appears on the record after gaining significant streaming support.
McNown’s rapid rise has been accompanied by a packed touring schedule. He wrapped a sold‑out international headline tour, played major U.S. festivals such as Lollapalooza and Stagecoach, and delivered two sold‑out shows at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium. He also toured alongside Parker McCollum. In Australia, the artist has built a growing audience: on the Countrytown Hot 50 chart, “Better Me For You (Brown Eyes)” reached No. 2, “Forever Ain’t Long Enough” peaked at No. 3, and “Done For” climbed to No. 8.
Born Max Winter McNown in Oregon, he began learning guitar after moving to Southern California in 2022. Within a year he released his debut single “Freezing In November,” signed with Fugitive Recordings, and issued the EP A Lot More Free. His debut album Wandering followed in 2024, and Night Diving in 2025 further expanded his international profile.
His breakthrough single “A Lot More Free” earned Platinum certification in the United States, accumulated more than 400 million streams worldwide, and reached the Billboard Hot 100. The song also topped TikTok’s Breakthrough USA chart and received additional exposure after Kelly Clarkson performed it during the “Kellyoke” segment of The Kelly Clarkson Show. The follow‑up single “Better Me For You (Brown Eyes)” achieved double Platinum certification in the United States, reached No. 26 on the Billboard Hot 100, and spent 36 weeks on the chart, demonstrating McNown’s crossover appeal across country, pop, and adult contemporary formats.
Reflecting on the new album, McNown said he hopes listeners connect with its themes of gratitude and perspective. “One of my favourite songwriters, Mags Duval, once told me that songs aren’t meant to tell people how they should feel, they’re meant to serve as mirrors,” he said. “More than anything, I hope this album encourages people to look inward and brings them toward a greater appreciation for what they have right now. Life is so fragile, even waking up isn’t guaranteed, and I hope I can help people to feel a deeper gratitude for even the smallest things in their lives.”
Leave On A Light will be available for purchase and streaming on September 25 2026.
The news arrived alongside the Australian radio premiere of the new single “First Born Daughter.” The track signals the album’s focus on gratitude, family, and the people who give stability beyond a music career.
“First Born Daughter’ is an easy‑listening track inspired by the woman I bet my life on,” McNown said. “As a middle child, I know every position in the birth order can come with its own benefits and quirks. As the oldest child in her family, my wife has developed negative views of some of her personality traits, traits I oddly love the most.” The song flips the script and shines a light on how marrying her was the best decision he’s ever made.
Recorded at Nashville’s Blackbird Studio, the 17‑track collection was produced by longtime collaborator Jamie Kenney. McNown expanded his creative circle with contributions from songwriter Julian Bunetta and guitarist Charlie Worsham. While the production explores a wider musical palette that blends indie folk and country soul, the emphasis remains on narrative songwriting and emotional honesty.
In a candid look at the album’s heart, McNown said many of the songs ultimately became tributes to those closest to him. “In a way, most of the songs on this album are love songs,” he explained. “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.”
The tracklist reads: “Overdose (Slow Down),” “First Born Daughter,” “Done For,” “Something to Someone,” “Selah’s Song,” “World Change Me,” “Famous to You,” “Same, Same Sun,” “Isn’t That Love?,” “Heart You Didn’t Break,” “Comets,” “Make my Peace,” “Standstill (My My My),” “Greatest Audience of All,” “The Way She Says Goodbye,” “Space For You,” and “The Room.” “Something to Someone” explores the universal desire to be understood and accepted, while the previously released single “Done For,” issued earlier in 2026, appears on the record after gaining significant streaming support.
McNown’s rapid rise has been accompanied by a packed touring schedule. He wrapped a sold‑out international headline tour, played major U.S. festivals such as Lollapalooza and Stagecoach, and delivered two sold‑out shows at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium. He also toured alongside Parker McCollum. In Australia, the artist has built a growing audience: on the Countrytown Hot 50 chart, “Better Me For You (Brown Eyes)” reached No. 2, “Forever Ain’t Long Enough” peaked at No. 3, and “Done For” climbed to No. 8.
Born Max Winter McNown in Oregon, he began learning guitar after moving to Southern California in 2022. Within a year he released his debut single “Freezing In November,” signed with Fugitive Recordings, and issued the EP A Lot More Free. His debut album Wandering followed in 2024, and Night Diving in 2025 further expanded his international profile.
His breakthrough single “A Lot More Free” earned Platinum certification in the United States, accumulated more than 400 million streams worldwide, and reached the Billboard Hot 100. The song also topped TikTok’s Breakthrough USA chart and received additional exposure after Kelly Clarkson performed it during the “Kellyoke” segment of The Kelly Clarkson Show. The follow‑up single “Better Me For You (Brown Eyes)” achieved double Platinum certification in the United States, reached No. 26 on the Billboard Hot 100, and spent 36 weeks on the chart, demonstrating McNown’s crossover appeal across country, pop, and adult contemporary formats.
Reflecting on the new album, McNown said he hopes listeners connect with its themes of gratitude and perspective. “One of my favourite songwriters, Mags Duval, once told me that songs aren’t meant to tell people how they should feel, they’re meant to serve as mirrors,” he said. “More than anything, I hope this album encourages people to look inward and brings them toward a greater appreciation for what they have right now. Life is so fragile, even waking up isn’t guaranteed, and I hope I can help people to feel a deeper gratitude for even the smallest things in their lives.”
Leave On A Light will be available for purchase and streaming on September 25 2026.
