Tucker Pillsbury, known as Role Model on stage, is a quickly growing singer-songwriter and former rapper. After being discovered by late rapper, producer, and songwriter, Mac Miller in 2017, following Role Model’s release “Stolen Cars”, he was flown out to Los Angeles and eventually signed with Interscope Records. Since then, Role Model has strayed away from his rapping days and started writing more indie-pop music. Most recently, he released his sophomore album, Kansas Anymore, in July of 2024 which left fans craving for more. He then dropped the deluxe version, Kansas Anymore (The Longest Goodbye), on Feb. 14, 2025, which exceeded fans’ expectations.
Kansas Anymore is very vocally different from Role Model’s previous tracks. Throughout the trajectory of his career, he has grown into his voice more and more with every song that he releases. This is especially evident in Kansas Anymore (The Longest Goodbye) as he expands on topics previously mentioned in Kansas Anymore now featuring a more mature sound.
Role Model shared four new songs in Kansas Anymore (The Longest Goodbye) including “Sally, When The Wine Runs Out”, which had been teased on social media prior to the deluxe release. The teaser accumulated even more anticipation for the deluxe. Although there are only four new songs, each track incorporates a variety of tones; some are melancholic and reminiscent, while others are upbeat and lively.
The first addition to the album is “Old Recliners”, which reminisces about a relationship that Role Model had sung about in previous songs like “Something, Somehow, Someday” and “Look At That Women”. This track creates a cohesive blend of sorrowful lyrics, and a semi upbeat drum tempo in the back. This causes a beautiful mental dilemma between dancing along to the beat and sitting in nostalgia with the lyrics as Role Model sings sentimentally as if he will never have those feelings again. The constant repetition of the line, “Thinking ’bout you, you in the moment”, evokes more sadness each time it is replayed as Role Model elongates the word “you” in a melancholic tone. “Old Recliner” is a quick mental jump from the previous track “Something, Somehow, Someday” where Role Model sings about how he believes two people are destined to be together.
The next addition to the album is “Sally, When The Wine Runs Out”, which is an emotional jump from the slow and downcast sounds of “Old Recliners”. This track dives into the wishes of a new relationship for Role Model and how he hopes that someone stays past his initial appeal. “Sally, When The Wine Runs Out” was one of the most anticipated songs on the deluxe for new and old fans, and did not disappoint in the slightest. This energetic and upbeat track is the perfect song to dance around the kitchen to. With its addictive bridge that changes the beat and instantly turns into the new lyrics, listeners will find themselves humming this track throughout the day.
The emotions of the album shift yet again with the following track, “Some Protector”, that starts with a light strum of a guitar. This song explores the feeling of battling the love one feels for a past lover while watching them fall for someone new from a distance. Role Model describes himself repeatedly throughout the track as a protector of this person: “I am and I always will be some protector”. He sings solemnly about how even though they may not be in touch anymore, he will always be there for them as a consistent drum beat and guitar strum sound in the back. The bridge then comes in after a slow of the beat but quickly builds back up as Role Model questions why he is not moving on as well as his past relationship. This hooking bridge could be relatable for many listeners who may compare themselves to others when working through the same difficult situation. “Some Protector” is one of the most prominent maturity changes in Role Model’s songs as he showcases his vocals and strong lyricism.
The final addition to Kansas Anymore (The Longest Goodbye) is its title track, “The Longest Goodbye”. This track is compared to the famous song, “You’ve Got a Friend in Me,” from the movie Toy Story by many of Role Model’s fans. This comparison has been drawn because of its distinct trumpet notes in the background. However, unlike the uplifting message of the Disney song, “The Longest Goodbye” details the sadness that comes with saying goodbye to a person that Role Model was in love with, wondering if he will ever fully be able to move on. Throughout the song, Role Model admits that this goodbye is inevitable as his former lover has gotten into a new relationship: “I see the new man you’re holding, the bar is finally closin’/ I don’t know what I’m buggin’ you for.” Nevertheless, he still ends the song with the line, “I don’t think you love me anymore / And I don’t think I love you anymore / But I don’t think I’ll ever be so sure.” This last track is the perfect song for listeners if they are having trouble letting go of someone that seems to already have forgotten about them and the memories that they have shared together.
The entire album is a rollercoaster of emotions and is incredibly relatable in any way that listeners may interpret Role Model’s lyrics. Kansas Anymore (The Longest Goodbye) was the perfect mix between songs that make listeners want to cry while also having a song like “Sally, When The Wine Runs Out,” which lifted the mood of the deluxe tracks. However, while listening to the album in order, “Sally, When The Wine Runs Out” would fit much more flawlessly in the original album because of its spin of emotions coming from a much slower song, “Old Recliners.”
Even with that said, Kansas Anymore (The Longest Goodbye) is just what the original album needed to create a full circle moment. At the beginning of the album Role Model sings about his sorrow of losing a very prominent person in his life, however by the end of Kansas Anymore (The Longest Goodbye) he has accepted that this person has moved on and he should too. In each track it is evident that Role Model poured his heart into this album ultimately creating the beautiful tracks that listeners will listen to over and over again.
If you loved this album, go check out Messy by Olivia Dean for smooth transitions from cheerful to somber tracks and Older (and Wiser) by Lizzy McAlpine for gut-wrenching lyricism.
9.8/10
