Clicking his heels one last time, Role Model seeks closure on the deluxe version of his sophomore album, Kansas Anymore (The Longest Goodbye), released on February 14, 2025.
Tucker Pillsbury, most commonly known by the stage name, Role Model, is a 27-year-old indie-pop artist from Portland, Maine. Pillsbury gained early recognition for his upbeat love songs like “blind,” off his 2020 EP, our little angel, and “forever&more,” from his first full-length album, Rx – songs that now feel like long-lost love letters to the same relationship that we see unravel on Kansas Anymore. Released in July 2024, Kansas Anymore, marked a change in sound for Pillsbury, opting for a folkier approach to the album, allowing the sincerity of his lyricism to shine through.
Kansas Anymore is by far Pillsbury’s most vulnerable album to date, exploring themes of heartbreak, homesickness, and the struggle to find closure after losing a love once thought to be forever. The original album’s emotionality is felt in every moment, a feeling only deepened by the four additional tracks on its deluxe version. This lyric-driven album is rich in its storytelling, heartfelt melodies, and instrumentality.
Kansas Anymore (The Longest Goodbye) contains four additional songs – “Old Recliners,” “Sally, When The Wine Runs Out,” “Some Protector,” and “The Longest Goodbye.” I can understand why these songs were originally left off the album, as Kansas Anymore was already a tight, emotionally resonant album at its original length, with “Something, Somehow, Someday,” acting as the perfect final track. However, I do think these songs are a beautiful addition and complement the original album so well. These songs act as a testament to the budding talent of Pillsbury in an industry which is both oversaturated and unforgiving. This acoustic album drips in sincerity, elaborating on Pillsbury’s intense feelings about his lost love and struggle to move on.
“Old Recliners” reminisces on memories from simpler times with a lost love. This song feels like a slow Sunday morning – driving along a dusty road in a red vintage truck with the windows down. It’s the scent of a fresh cup of coffee, the creak of an old wooden porch swing, and finding comfort in the bittersweet nostalgia of a love that once was.
Like many fans, “Sally, When The Wine Runs Out,” might be my favourite track from the deluxe album. This song is absolutely addictive, with an irresistible bridge that begs to be played on repeat. Its infectious rhythm makes it one of the most danceable songs on the album and will most definitely be a crowd favourite at his shows on the No Place Like Tour.
“Some Protector” is arguably one of the most intimate songs on the entire project. This track sees the Portland native holding onto the memories of his past relationship. Although he knows the relationship is no longer, he finds himself keeping a place in his heart for her forever. This guitar-forward track finds Pillsbury pouring his heart out with raw emotion and heartbreaking lyrics that make every line feel authentic.
“The Longest Goodbye,” the album’s namesake, is a deeply reflective closing track. This is an acoustic-forward production, elevated with soft horn instrumentals and beautiful keys, adding richness to its sound. The song lingers with a feeling of finality – almost like an end credits scene of a movie, bathed in melancholic acceptance.
Kansas Anymore (The Longest Goodbye) is a record that doesn’t just sing about heartbreak, but immerses you in it. This album marks an evolution for Role Model, breaking through the noise of a constantly changing music scene and carving out a space for himself that resonates so deeply with fans. Clicking his heels one last time, Role Model has created the perfect heartbreak album, and a deluxe version that guides his steps to the yellow brick road ahead.
