MAX MCNOWN RELEASES 'NIGHT DIVING (THE COST OF GROWING UP)'

Image: Benjamin Edwards.

With the release of the deluxe edition of Night Diving (The Cost of Growing Up), singer-songwriter Max McNown is cementing himself not only as a rising star, but as a formidable voice in modern folk and country.

Adding 11 previously unreleased tracks to the record, each song is rich in emotional nuance, sonic depth, and lyrical honesty. The results is a cohesive body of work that is both personal and universally resonant.

The albums original tracklist was rooted in themes of loss, love, and transformation. The deluxe edition adds even more texture to McNown’s exploration of these themes, and what it means to grow up. "Even though Night Diving was the length of a full album, in my heart it never felt complete to me," McNown explains. “All of these songs were written in the same time period, and my intention was always to have them be one body of work.” That vision now feels fully realised.

Songs such as the bittersweet Same Questions and the aching St. Helen’s Alpenglow channel heartache with striking clarity, while the joyful, hook-laden Forever Ain’t Long Enough showcases McNown’s romantic optimism in full bloom. The album’s title track gets a moving reimagining with country artist Cameron Whitcomb, whose gritty vocals bring a new layer to the song’s haunting look at addiction and redemption. 

McNown’s artistry is deeply shaped by his Pacific Northwest roots and formative experiences performing on the San Clemente pier - an authenticity that resonates through every song. With production by Jamie Kenney and contributions from top-tier session players, the album’s lush arrangements only heighten its emotional impact.

It’s been a whirlwind ascent for the 23-year-old - marked by viral success, late-night TV appearances, and a sold-out debut tour - but McNown remains grounded in his mission: to make music that helps people feel seen. As he heads out on his Forever Ain’t Long Enough tour and continues his hot streak with chart-climbing singles like Better Me For You (Brown Eyes), it’s clear Max McNown is no longer an emerging artist - he has  arrived.

Night Diving (The Cost of Growing Up) is more than an album. It’s a coming-of-age story told in melody and verse, and it just might be Max McNown’s most complete artistic statement yet.