Recommended Tracks: “Scumbag,” “So Far Gone,” “The Dinner”
Artists You Might Like: COIN, Del Water Gap, Christian Leave
Home is where the heart is. Now and again, we get a little homesick, a little heartbroken and maybe even hopeful as we grow up and are forced to leave our homes to begin anew. But there comes a time when we miss the smell of our old couch, the broken wood of the dining room table and that soft mattress in bed. Singer-songwriter Role Model explores these feelings in his breezy sophomore album, Kansas Anymore. Despite tackling dark material, he does so with cheerful guitar playing and a laid-back vocal delivery.
Coming off his debut album Rx (2019) and supporting singer-songwriter Gracie Abrams on her The Secret of Us Tour, Role Model, born Tucker Pillsbury, describes the process of making his new album, Kansas Anymore as “a roller coaster.” The album’s title is derived from a discarded song that evokes Dorothy Gale’s famous quote from the 1939 film adaptation of The Wizard of Oz, symbolizing a poignant theme for this record.
The album opens with despair and heartbreak, as Role Model grapples with his recent heartache after splitting with influencer Emma Chamberlain. He mourns their breakup, expressing self-doubt and reflecting on the lingering influence of his father’s voice (“‘Cause the girl that I love never treated me nice / Writing’s on the wall, I pretend I can’t read”). Despite ignoring the “Writing’s On The Wall,” Role Model vividly captures his heartbreak in the light-hearted track “Look At That Woman,” which reflects the way she continues to captivate him even in the aftermath.
At some point, we all reach our breaking point. We feel like a lost cause, seeking romance where it’s absent. In “Oh, Gemini,” Role Model contemplates moving forward, yet he hardly recovers from his hurt and pain in the self-deprecating track “Scumbag.” Here, he calls himself “a setback,” “a stain on the floor,” “a train wreck” and “a cigarette.” Refusing to be a savior, his simple melodies play smoothly over his breezy yet passionate vocal delivery. This otherwise upbeat track resonates with those struggling internally, fighting insecurities that eat away at them (“I’m a side that no one’s rooting for / But you stand by me”).
The emotional lyricism of “Frances” is calm, quiet and reflective. It’s a win-win for the girls as Role Model embraces his “sad boy” persona, wearing his heart on his sleeve in the best way possible. Yet, we’re left crying into our pillows. He reflects on his relationship with Frances, recalling dances under the moonlight and holding hands, but acknowledging the pain that follows. Over his soft harmonies, he sings, “But, at the end of the day / What’s my mother gonna say when I come home crying?” Despite the heartache, he finds solace and concludes, “I’m just happy I can say she was mine.” He learns that sometimes all you need is a little bit of “Superglue” to hold you together, ultimately admitting how badly he craves his partner (“I’m nothing without you”).
“The Dinner” shines with its unique lyrical premise, as Role Model describes a tense and uncomfortable dinner scene. Amid superficial bragging and mundane health discussions like Ozempic, he touches on societal themes, contrasting different lifestyles and values. He feels like an outsider, singing, “Where the common sense is common as a nose job in LA.” The track also features the album’s title, Kansas Anymore, with the line, “I click my heels three times, oh / We’re not in Kansas anymore / Take me home.” Despite everything, he reveals that in his heart, he is “Deeply Still in Love.”
One of the highlights of the album is “So Far Gone,” a collaboration with folk-pop singer Lizzy McAlpine. McAlpine adds incredible warmth to the track with her sweet and soulful vocals. Lyrically, the song explores emotional distance, regret and unspoken feelings within relationships. Both artists reflect on coping mechanisms like drinking (“Now I drink like my brother”), yet they find themselves “so far gone” and “so lonely.” McAlpine addresses missed opportunities and regrets, adding depth to the track.
Ultimately, Role Model finds some reassurance toward the end of the album. He sings about keeping hope alive despite past disappointments, expressing that his partner deserves happiness too: “I’m still keeping all my hopes up high / You deserve a happy ever after.” This heartfelt plea remains poignant in the concluding track, “Something, Somehow, Someday,” where Role Model paints a picture of two people at odds who will eventually find their way back to each other. This celebration of love reinforces his belief in destiny and fate, even when it seems impossible because he can finally be free from his past “(And I believe they’re meant to be / Something, somehow, someday)”.
On his 13-track sophomore record, Role Model lays himself bare with guitar-driven tracks and emotional ballads, showcasing his introspective lyricism and breezy musical style. Seamlessly blending heartache with smooth vocals and evoking a Dorothy-like “click her heels three times” mood, he comes to realize that he’s not quite in Kansas Anymore.
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