On “Slow Down, Slow Down”, the opening track of this third full-length album from Max McNown, the acclaimed singer-songwriter implores himself to slow down. He’s singing about savouring a romantic relationship on that Emily Weisband (Maren Morris, Keith Urban) co-write, but the bit of advice could just as easily apply to his career trajectory—after all, McNown only learned to play the guitar in 2022. Produced by close collaborator Jamie Kenney (Blessing Offor, Colbie Caillat), Leave on a Light is McNown’s most poised record yet. At 17 tracks, it doesn’t sprawl quite as far as its predecessor, 2025’s Night Diving. But it feels more spacious yet, thanks in large part to McNown’s growth as a songwriter. He’s in a reflective and grateful place across much of the LP, like on standout “First Born Daughter”, a tender, groovy tribute to his wife, who he sings is “type A to a T.” “Famous to You” prioritises real-life closeness over widespread notoriety, with Nashville favourite Charlie Worsham adding mandolin and acoustic guitar. Our Favourite Lyric: Closing ballad “The Room” boasts the fantastic opening couplet “Standing in the shade of a childhood tree/I’d be up in those branches but they won’t hold me.”