Just last week, Role Model (Tucker Pillsbury) announced he would be releasing four deluxe tracks for his highly successful sophomore album “Kansas Anymore,” and as a fan myself, I was excited to see how he would extend the already incredible track list.
For those unfamiliar with Role Model, he is a 27-year-old indie pop artist and has had quite an eventful year with the release of his second album and his time touring with Gracie Abrams on “The Secret of Us” tour. Many also may recognize him if they are familiar with Emma Chamberlain; the two dated for over three years and their breakup was the source of most, if not all of the songs on his recent album. He is also well known for his somewhat… unconventional TikTok presence. He has two accounts, one under “Role Model” and the other under “SaintLaurentCowboy,” which is how I learned about the impending release of his deluxe tracks last week. If you follow the burner account, you were also likely subjected to his underdog campaign for People’s 2024 ‘Sexiest Musician Alive’ and then the subsequent crash out after his devastating loss to Harry Styles. Needless to say, he is quite the personality; however, his newest album “Kansas Anymore” is remarkably heartfelt and meaningful.
While “Rx” was generally a pop-rap album, “Kansas Anymore” took a more indie and folk approach. In an interview with Zane Lowe, Role Model described the pride he felt in the positive response and respect from other artists, as he feels he found his voice during the album production. At its core, “Kansas Anymore” is a heartbreak album, but it’s executed brilliantly, and Role Model’s talent is displayed unlike ever before. The new songs are unsurprisingly a perfect addition to the already enjoyable album. Below, I will be briefly sharing my thoughts on each of the four new songs.
“Old Recliners”: In the first deluxe track, Role Model reflects on the passage of time and his old relationship, repeating “thinking ’bout you, you in the moment” during the song. The slow tempo and variety of instruments tie together to perfectly articulate his feelings of nostalgia and regret.
“Sally, When The Wine Runs Out”: Most fans were excited about the release of this song after a snippet of it was posted on TikTok in late January. Similar to “Deeply Still in Love,” a song featured on the original album, there is a clear and impactful juxtaposition between the upbeat tempo and the lyrics, which address his attempts to cope with alcohol and new relationships.
“Some Protector”: I think this song stood out in its stripped-back style and incorporation of a banjo. Role Model describes his desire to continue looking after his ex and his uncertainty of the future. He has accepted that she has moved on already, but doubts whether he will ever “find another.”
“The Longest Goodbye”: This was a perfect yet devastating ending. It marks the conclusion of both the album and his past relationship, as he finally accepts that it is over. This was my favorite of the new songs, despite being gut-wrenching, as it perfectly encapsulates the feeling of grieving while trying to move on.
