Here We Go Again – Role Model Returns with the Deluxe Edition of ‘Kansas Anymore’
Our favorite diva is back. Role Model, aka Tucker Pillsbury, dropped the deluxe edition of his sophomore album, “Kansas Anymore (The Longest Goodbye).” As the perfect Valentine’s Day gift, he’s added four brand-new tracks to the mix.
Photo by Neema Sadeghi via Instagram.
Role Model’s personality shined through ‘Kansas Anymore’, released in July 2024. Since then, Pillsbury has kept busy—launching a campaign for People’s Sexiest Man Alive, touring with Gracie Abrams on THE SECRET OF US Tour, and covering The 1975 in the Spotify Studio. After weeks of teasing, the deluxe edition is finally here, featuring new tracks like “Old Recliners,” “Sally, When The Wine Runs Out,” “Some Protector,” and “The Longest Goodbye.”
The first 13 tracks remain the same. With a strong start, “Writing’s On The Wall” is a short and sweet tune with a snappy chorus. Amassing the most success, “Look At That Woman,” entered the top Spotify charts. Speaking with Dork, Role Model described it as “a very nostalgic song that is looking back and regretting certain decisions.” The track has a breezy ‘70s soft rock vibe, serving as what he calls his “coping song disguised as a nice, easygoing little jam.” The slide guitar and layered harmonies create an airy feel complementing the earnest lyrics: “Lost my faith and my mind / On the day we had to say goodbye / And I try not to call but the leaves start to fall.”
“So Far Gone (Feat. Lizzy McAlpine)” is another standout on the album, exhibiting delicate vocals layered over a piano, creating a raw and intimate track. The duet’s harmonies complement each other, with McAlpine bringing the song to a whole new level. Meanwhile, “Deeply Still In Love” captures the longing for past love while trying to move on. Driven by a fast-paced guitar riff, the single makes for an upbeat breakup song.
The Deluxe album’s four new songs mesh well with the original album. Pillsbury included a lively pop-driven tune, but stayed true to his signature soft rock sound with a hint of folk.
Pillsbury teased his new track “Sally, When The Wine Runs Out,” online at the end of January, immediately getting stuck in the minds of every chronically online Gen Z-er. The song has a catchy guitar riff with a rhythmic drum line that is very Mac Miller-esque. Role Model brings back the layered harmonies tying the new and old tracks together well. The bridge is the showstopper, “Aw, shit, here we go again, I'm falling headfirst / Ankles hit the two-step, Sally makes my head hurt / Heard through the grapevine she can be a diva.”
The other three tracks are much slower and heartfelt. “Old Recliners” features an acoustic guitar with strong, bass-driven moments, while “Some Protector” stands out with its banjo. The lyrics of these songs resonate with those navigating their 20s, which is why Pillsbury connects with his audience so deeply. In “Some Protector,” lines like “Am I lying to my mother? / That someday I'll find another?” reveal the raw emotion of heartbreak.
Role Model closes the deluxe album on a bold note with“The Longest Goodbye”, a song that feels like the final chapter of a past relationship. The album begins with lingering love and ends with letting go. “See, loving me is like doing a chore / But you told me and hold me, forget the matrimony / I don't think I love you anymore” presents the shift. The trumpet and strummed guitar carry a cinematic nature, almost as if it belongs in a Pixar film.
The deluxe version revealed more to the story first introduced in ‘Kansas Anymore’, adding depth and more context. While complementing the originals, the new tracks had compelling bridges, unique guitar riffs, and additions of new instruments that were uncharted before. Pillsbury allowed fans to see a new side of him while expanding his craft.
Listen to ‘Kansas Anymore (The Longest Goodbye)’ out now. Role Model begins his U.S. headline tour later this month.
