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MAX McNOWN ANNOUNCES THIRD STUDIO ALBUM  LEAVE ON A LIGHT  OUT SEPTEMBER 25 ON FUGITIVE RECORDINGSNEW 17-TRACK LP CHANNELS THE WHIRLWIND OF THE PAST FEW YEARS INTO SONGS ROOTED IN GRATITUDE FOR THE RELATIONSHIPS THAT ANCHOR HIS LIFE
RELEASES INFECTIOUS NEW SINGLE “FIRST BORN DAUGHTER”“A young artist who is taking the country music industry by storm”THE TODAY SHOW“[one of the] brightest newly minted stars to come out of Nashville in recent years”GRAMMY.com“Max McNown’s music is imbued with stories of grief and darkness, resilience and light—and ever-evolving perspectives.”FORBES
Nashville-based singer-songwriter Max McNown has announced his third studio album, Leave On A Light, arriving September 25 through Fugitive Recordings.The forthcoming 17-track collection channels the whirlwind of McNown’s recent rise into songs grounded in gratitude, love and the relationships that sustain him. Centred on his distinctive blend of indie folk and country soul, the album expands McNown’s sound while maintaining the emotionally direct, lyric-first songwriting that has driven his global breakthrough.Coinciding with the album announcement, McNown’s bright and infectious new single “ First Born Daughter: ” is being taken to Australian radio.  Pairing buoyant guitars with an instantly memorable melody, “ First Born Daughter” is an affectionate celebration of the qualities McNown admires most in his wife.

First Born Daughter’ is an easy-listening track inspired by the woman I bet my life on,” shares McNown. “ 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 ironically love the most. The song flips the script and shines a light on all the ways marrying her was the best decision I’ve ever made.”

 
The single reflects the wider emotional heart of Leave On A Light, which McNown describes as a tribute to the people who know and support him beyond his career.Centered on his exquisitely detailed form of indie folk and country soul, Leave On A Lightboth broadens McNown’s sound and further reinforces his lyric-first ethos, with even his most inventive musical choices serving the pure emotional truth of his storytelling. In bringing the new LP to life, McNown worked closely with longtime collaborator and producer Jamie Kenney at the famed Blackbird Studio, and widened his creative circle to include co-writers like Julian Bunetta (Gracie Abrams, Kelsea Ballerini) and A-list musicians like guitarist Charlie Worsham (Luke Combs, Lainey Wilson).Amid an explosive ascent that solidified his status as one of his generation’s most compelling singer/songwriters, the 25-year-old artist came to a deeper conviction in music’s power to honor what matters most, such as the people and values who anchor his life. Born from a year of extraordinary momentum, including completing his sold-out, continent-hopping headline tour, Leave On A Light essentially finds McNown more grounded than ever in his artistic vision, arriving as the fullest expression yet of his singular songwriting voice.

In a way, most of the songs on this album are love songs,”  says McNown. “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.”

 
Reaffirming the depth and character of his lyricism, the forthcoming album repeatedly pushes those love songs into unexpected terrain, forgoing surface-level sentiment for a far more nuanced inquiry into the human heart. On “Something to Someone,” for instance, McNown gives voice to a universal theme: the longing to be fully seen and loved.Also featuring “Done For,” an early-2026 release that landed on coveted playlists like Spotify’s Hot Country, Leave On A Light has already added to a fast-growing list of milestones that includes taking the stage at major festivals like Lollapalooza and Stagecoach, selling out a two-night stand at the historic Ryman Auditorium, and touring with superstars like Parker McCollum. For McNown, one of the most meaningful outcomes of his rapid rise is the chance to create songs that help listeners see their own lives with more clarity. “One of my favorite 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 exclusively shares with Billboard Country. “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.”In Australia, McNown has already established a strong connection with Australian audiences.  On the Countrytown Hot 50, “Better Me for You (Brown Eyes)” climbed to No. 2, “Forever Ain’t Long Enough” reached No. 3 and “Done For” peaked at No. 8. ABOUT MAX McNOWNMax McNown’s rise has been meteoric – he has gone from teaching himself how to play the guitar within months and busking around SoCal just a few years ago, to auditioning (and gracefully turning down) a major TV talent show and gaining a legion of supporters on TikTok (currently has 2.6M followers). Since blazing his own path as a singer-songwriter, the Nashville-based artist’s breakout hit “A Lot More Free” has gone RIAA Certified Platinum in the U.S., amassed over 400M worldwide streams to date, and made its Billboard Hot 100 debut, which launched him to the top of Billboard’s Emerging Artists chart. Featured on his 2023 debut EP and his 2024 full-length Wandering  album, it also peaked in the Top 10 at Hot AC Radio, Top 20 at Pop, and Top 30 at Triple A, plus landed at #1 on TikTok’s Breakthrough USA chart, #2 on iTunes Country chart, hit the Spotify Viral 50 Global Playlist, and even got a nod from Kelly Clarkson when she performed the song on her Kellyoke series on The Kelly Clarkson Show.     The rising star’s follow-up track, “Better Me For You (Brown Eyes),” which is the lead single from his 2025 sophomore album Night Diving (The Cost of Growing Up), also went double Platinum in the U.S, and landed McNown his highest charting position on the Billboard Hot 100 (at #26). The song, which amassed 500M worldwide streams to date, spent 36 weeks on the Hot 100 chart. It also landed him his first entry onto the Spotify US Top 200 Chart (#120 peak), #6 at Country Radio, Top 30 at Pop, #8 at Hot AC, Top 20 AC, plus #1 on iTunes Country Songs Chart, and Top 5 on iTunes All Genres Chart. A consistent chart-climber across genres, McNown proves to be a true, multi-format artist. Ultimately, the forthcoming album, Leave On A Light, reveals a rare artist whose breakout success has brought him even closer to his truest instincts. 

GRAMMY, CMA and ACM Award-winning country star Carly Pearce today releases her new single, “You Can Have Him,” to Australian country radio.Taken from Pearce’s forthcoming fifth studio album, Honest Woman, arriving August 28 via BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville, “You Can Have Him” pairs classic country instrumentation with sharp, modern attitude.Built around steel guitar, fiddle, bass and dobro, the track finds Pearce delivering an assured and delightfully unbothered dismissal of a wandering man who is no longer worth the trouble. Moving on, she suggests, can sound every bit as satisfying as falling in love.Co-written by Pearce with Tofer Brown, Lauren Hungate and Carter Faith, “You Can Have Him” blends tongue-in-cheek humour with a knowing edge. The result is equal parts sass and substance, highlighting Pearce’s witty lyricism, distinctive storytelling and deep connection to traditional country music.“You Can Have Him” is available now on all streaming platforms and is being serviced to Australian radio today.“When I started making Honest Woman, I found myself rediscovering who I am and why I wanted to be a country music singer in the first place, this album takes me back to the beginning of my story, where the sounds of classic country and bluegrass music shaped who I am. I’m so proud of this body of work, and I truly feel like it’s my best yet.” says Pearce.Honest Woman also features Pearce’s duet with Riley Green, “ If I Don’t Leave I’m Gonna Stay,” alongside previously released tracks “ Dream Come True,” “ Church Girl” and “ She Don’t.”The album sees Pearce draw on the classic country and bluegrass influences that first shaped her artistry, while continuing the candid and emotionally direct songwriting that has defined her career.

ABOUT CARLY PEARCE
Carly Pearce has become one of country music’s most authentic and defining voices. Fiercely rooted in the classics, Pearce left her Kentucky home and high school at 16 to take a job performing at Dollywood. She has since developed into an artist who honours country music tradition while embracing the genre’s continued evolution.  The GRAMMY Award-winning singer-songwriter broke through with her debut album, Every Little Thing, and its PLATINUM-certified title track.  Pearce later released the critically acclaimed and commercially successful album 29: Written In Stone, featuring the Country Radio chart-topping duet “Never Wanted To Be That Girl” with Ashley McBryde and the 2x PLATINUM-certified hit “What He Didn’t Do.”  She was named CMA Female Vocalist of the Year in 2021 and ACM Female Artist of the Year in 2022. Pearce is also a member of the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame and the Grand Ole Opry, where she has performed more than 100 times.In 2024, Pearce released the critically acclaimed album hummingbird, featuring the PLATINUM-certified single “we don’t fight anymore” with Chris Stapleton. The track earned Pearce her second GRAMMY nomination for Best Country Duo/Group Performance and became her fifth Top 5 hit at Country Radio.Pearce continues to expand her international audience, having recently brought her Inside the Dream Tour to stages across Australia, Ireland and the United Kingdom, including a headline performance at London’s Royal Albert Hall.
With her fifth studio album, Honest Woman, arriving August 28, Pearce begins a new chapter grounded in honest songwriting, timeless country instrumentation and the musical influences that first inspired her.

Texas Country hitmaker Tristan Roberson returns with “Down For The Ride,” the title track and focus single from his highly anticipated sophomore album. At just 18 years old, Roberson continues to build momentum as one of country music’s fastest-rising independent artists, earning four consecutive #1 singles on the Texas Regional Radio Report, charting on the Mediabase Country Indie Chart, and surpassing 19.7 million streams across more than 182 countries.His recent accolades include induction into the Texas State Songwriters Association Hall of Fame, Emerging Artist of the Year at the Texas Country Music Awards, New Male Vocalist of the Year at the 2026 Texas Regional Radio Music Awards. Roberson continues touring throughout Texas and beyond with strong radio support.


Australian country-rock duo The Finley’s are set to warm hearts with the release of their brand-new single, “Shiver,” a deeply personal love song inspired by the moment their lives changed forever. Written from real-life experience, “Shiver” tells the story of the spark that ignited when Col and Nellie Finley first touched — at that moment, it was dismissed as inappropriate, as Nellie was married and Col, as wild as they say, still had a strong moral compass. More than two decades later, Col was getting his hair cut by Nellie, and bang, that same shiver, that same feeling remains just as strong. In a world where love stories often fade with time, “Shiver” celebrates a rare and enduring connection. The song captures the excitement of new love, the comfort of lifelong partnership, and the magic that still exists between two people who have shared life’s journey together. 

“As soon as I felt that shiver, I raced home and wrote the song. A song that was honest and real,” says Col Finley. “The truth is, after 20 years together, Nellie can still give me that same shiver I felt the very first time we touched. 
Blending The Finley’s’ signature country-rock sound with heartfelt storytelling, “Shiver” is both a romantic anthem and a celebration of lasting love. It’s a reminder that true connection doesn’t fade—it grows stronger with every passing year. For fans who have followed The Finley’s’ remarkable journey, “Shiver” offers a deeper look into the love story behind the music. For new listeners, it serves as a touching introduction to a couple whose relationship has become the foundation of their songs, performances, and lives. As The Finleys continue to share their Rockin’ Country Love Story with audiences across Australia, “Shiver” stands as one of their most personal releases to date—a song born from a single touch and a love that still sends chills down their spines.

What happens when a Texas honky tonk singer steps into the deep forests of Sweden?
On July 31, Kensie & Stiko release “Ash & Flame,” the second single from their upcoming collaborative album. The song brings together two musical traditions that rarely meet. Classic American country storytelling and the timeless atmosphere of Scandinavian folk music.The idea for the song was born at an old mountain pasture hidden deep in the forests of Dalarna, Sweden. Once home to generations of families who lived close to the land, the place still carries an unmistakable sense of history. Surrounded by towering pine trees, weathered log buildings and complete silence, it becomes impossible not to wonder who walked these paths before, what they dreamed about and what remains long after their names are forgotten.Those reflections became “Ash & Flame,” a song about memory, belonging and the invisible connections between people and place. Fire, wind, forgotten names and northern forests shape the lyrics, creating a world where the past feels present and every landscape seems to hold a story.For Kensie Coppin, stepping into that world meant exploring something entirely new.Known as one of the rising voices of traditional honky tonk and classic country music, the award winning Texas singer songwriter has built her reputation on authentic storytelling, powerful vocals and a deep respect for American country traditions. She made her debut at the Grand Ole Opry at just eleven years old and is now signed as a songwriter with the legendary Fame Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama.On “Ash & Flame,” however, Coppin leaves the Texas dance halls behind and embraces the mysterious beauty of Swedish folklore. The result is both unexpected and remarkably natural. Her unmistakable country voice meets ancient Nordic imagery in a way that feels fresh without losing sight of either tradition.

Stiko Per Larsson has long been one of Sweden’s most respected live performers. With more than 1,500 concerts and over 27 million streams, he has built a loyal audience through songs that combine honest storytelling with strong melodies. In recent years he has also become increasingly connected to the Americana scene, touring throughout Scandinavia, the United Kingdom and the United States.Kensie and Stiko first met through songwriting and immediately discovered a shared musical philosophy. Both believe that honest lyrics, timeless melodies and emotional performances matter more than trends or production tricks. That common ground became the foundation for a collaboration that naturally bridges continents.Their voices are joined by acclaimed guitarist Ulf Klenfelt and celebrated Swedish violinist Sofia Sandén, whose performances bring even greater depth to the meeting between American roots music and Scandinavian folk traditions.More than anything, “Ash & Flame” is about discovering common ground in places that seem worlds apart. Texas and Dalarna may be separated by an ocean, but both are places where music, stories and tradition continue to shape everyday life. The song celebrates those shared roots while creating something entirely its own.The single marks the second chapter of Kensie & Stiko’s upcoming album and arrives ahead of an extensive tour across Sweden and Denmark during August and September.

RustRiders are a Los Angeles country-rock trio made up of Ryan Curtis, Victoria Renee, and Jon “Lovebone” Gus. Built on three-part harmonies, big hooks, and the kind of sound that happens when modern country crashes head-on into classic rock and roll, the band brings together the heart of Luke Combs, the edge of Eric Church, and the harmony-driven spirit of Fleetwood Mac and the Eagles, with a little dirt under the fingernails.RustRiders recently signed a production deal with Sam Phillips Recording in Memphis, where they recorded their debut seven-song EP, Iron Blood and Rust. Their first single, “High Life,” releases June 26 on all DSPs and will lead a full rollout of new singles every 6 to 8 weeks.The band is targeting country radio first, while also pursuing Americana, rock, college, internet, and independent stations that support hook-driven, high-energy songs with real guitars and real vocals. The “High Life” campaign includes multiple lo-fi music videos releasing every two weeks, a larger official music video planned 5 to 6 weeks after release, podcast appearances, press outreach, heavy social media posting, behind-the-scenes content, performance clips, and fan-list growth through therustriders.com

BREAKOUT COUNTRY ARTIST JAKE BANFIELD CONTINUES HIS RISE WITH “SUN GOES DOWN”
Following a busy CMA Fest run and a breakout year that continues to gain momentum, rising country artist Jake Banfield returns with his new single “ Sun Goes Down” — an unmistakable summer anthem built for late nights, open skies, and festival-sized singalongs.The release follows Banfield’s official CMA Fest performance, along with high-profile appearances alongside Waka Flocka, Country Night, and 2 Friends, plus a recent collaborative release with Waka Flocka and Country Night. It marks another major moment in a fast-rising trajectory for the genre-blurring artist, who has been steadily carving out his own lane in country music.Written alongside an impressive team of hitmakers — Joe London (Thomas Rhett, Pitbull), Grant Averill (Bailey Zimmerman, Blake Whiten), Peter Fenn (Myles Smith, Nicky Youre), and Stephen Ellrod (Charlieonnafriday, Fitz and the Tantrums) — “ Sun Goes Down” captures the feeling of summer at full volume. With its bright hooks, effortless energy, and ready-made crowd appeal, the track positions Banfield with another undeniable crowd favourite.Banfield first broke through in 2025 with his viral hit “Lasso”, which has since amassed more than 54 million streams and reached #1 on the CountryTown Hot 50 Radio Chart in Australia. That breakthrough helped introduce Banfield to a global audience and cemented his status as one of the most exciting new names in country.In 2026, Banfield has continued to build on that momentum with a headline tour across Australia, performances at C2C Berlin and CMA Fest, and support slots for major artists including George Birge, Mitchell Tenpenny, Lily Rose, and more. With each release and live performance, he continues to prove himself as an artist with crossover appeal, a rapidly growing fanbase, and a sound built for big stages.“ Sun Goes Down” is the latest step forward — a feel-good, high-energy release that showcases Banfield’s ability to turn a moment into an anthem.

Big Updates:- Already well over 1 million plays on TikTok since release day which is HUGE- Huge DSP support with key playlist adds on Spotify, Apple Music and Amazon Music- Amazing week 1 debut in the CountryTown Top 50 radio chart and climbing
 
ARIA, APRA and Golden Guitar Award-winning country artist Casey Barnes returns today with his uplifting new single  SHE DOES, a feel-good country anthem celebrating the person who stands by you through life’s highs and lows.Arriving just weeks before the release of his highly anticipated new album MADE FOR THIS on August 7, SHE DOES continues the momentum of a landmark year for Barnes, following the success of recent singles MADE FOR THIS, selected as the official theme song for Nine’s 2026 NRL season and TIME TO BURN, his acclaimed collaboration with Australian music icon Pete Murray.Hooking listeners from the opening line,  SHE DOES blends infectious melodies, heartfelt storytelling along with celebrating loyalty, resilience and the kind of love that never wavers.Written in Nashville alongside acclaimed songwriters Jordan Dozzi (Morgan Wallen, Post Malone, Blake Shelton) and Kyle Sturrock, the track showcases Barnes’ signature ability to fuse contemporary country-pop production with authentic, relatable storytelling.

She Does’ isn’t just another cliché country song… it’s really about something much deeper,” says Barnes. “It’s about the person who still believes in you when you’re doubting yourself, who holds your world together when life gets chaotic, and who loves you even when you give them every reason not to. I think that’s something a lot of people will connect with.”

The release marks the final standalone single before MADE FOR THIS arrives on August 7, with the album set to launch alongside Barnes’ biggest national headline tour to date. Spanning Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania, the tour will see Barnes bring his energetic live show to fans across the country throughout the second half of 2026.With an ARIA Award, multiple Golden Guitars, APRA Awards, major festival appearances and more than 90 million streams, Casey Barnes continues to cement his reputation as one of the leading voices in modern Australian country music.

Texas Country hitmaker Tristan Roberson returns with his new single “I Can’t Get Over You,” a heartfelt country ballad blending traditional storytelling with modern country production. Roberson has quickly become one of the fastest-rising young artists in the Texas Country scene, scoring four consecutive #1 singles on the Texas Regional Radio Chart, including the fan-favorite “Rough Spot.” His music has also charted on the Mediabase Country Indie Chart and accumulated 19.5 Million streams in over 182 countries.At just 18, Roberson continues to build a strong following with authentic songwriting and high-energy live performances across Texas and the Midwest. He was recently inducted into the Texas State Songwriters Association Hall of Fame — the organization’s highest honor — and was the winner of the DFW Stockyards Showdown. Tristan won Emerging Artist of the Year and 3rd Runner Up Songwriter of the Year at the Texas Country Music Awards. New Male Vocalist Of the Year” at the 2026 Texas Regional Radio Music Awards.“I Can’t Get Over You” showcases Tristan’s signature blend of emotional lyrics and classic country influence, delivering a powerful track that resonates with both traditional and contemporary country audiences.For fans of: Parker McCollum, Cody Johnson, and Zach Top