Kansas Anymore
is the sophomore set from
Tucker Pillsbury
, the Maine native who, since 2017, has been recording under the moniker
Role Model
. Over numerous singles, EPs, and his 2022 debut album,
Rx
,
Pillsbury
has given the impression of searching for, but never quite finding, a vehicle that will deliver pop stardom. He started out his career rapping, then moved through various channels of pop, exploring both his electronic and organic sides with enough streaming success to land him a deal with major label
Interscope
. On
, he engages more fully with his organic side, delivering a guitar-based album that nods across the room at country and folk but is still, ultimately, a pop album. This seems to work for
, who has channeled a public breakup with star influencer Emma Chamberlain into some of the more sincere songs of his career. Tracks like "Look at That Woman" and "Slipfast" are both comfortable and hooky, a mode that works well for
's voice and yearning tone. He gets jaunty on the uptempo indie rock standout "Deeply Still in Love" and surprisingly raw on "Slut Era Interlude." Released in mid-2024,
gave him his first charting position, reaching the back half of the Billboard 200. An expanded version titled Kansas Anymore (The Longest Goodbye) arrived in February 2025, giving the album new life with the inclusion of "Sally, When the Wine Runs Out," a melodic heartland rocker that became a bona fide hit. ~ Timothy Monger