Role Model Searches for Something Real on Chuck Timely and the Hourglass
Written by Ev Fuss
Current pop culture sensation Tucker Pillsbury, better known as Role Model, recently released his third studio album, Chuck Timely and the Hourglass. The album puts a country-rock spin on his signature indie-pop sound, blending a stylized concept with an infectious energy that has fans on their feet and dancing along.
Pillsbury has been carving out his place in the music scene for nearly a decade, releasing his first EP in 2017 before making his full-length debut with RX in 2022. His rise to wider recognition came with his sophomore album, Kansas Anymore, and especially its deluxe edition, which featured “Sally, When the Wine Runs Out.” The track quickly sparked a social media trend that took on a life of its own, eventually evolving into a playful onstage ritual shared between Pillsbury, fans, and celebrity guests throughout the tour.
His social media presence has also played a role in his rising fame. Pillsbury is known for creating characters, with Chuck Timely once appearing as Saint Laurent Cowboy on TikTok. Under this alias, Pillsbury posted slightly sillier, fan-centred content that gave listeners a more personal connection to him and his music. He even ran his campaign for People magazine’s World’s Sexiest Musician through social media. Although he ultimately lost out to Harry Styles, the event was dramatically documented across his social platforms. Since his career began to take off, Pillsbury has continued riding that momentum, creating new music while also making his acting debut in an upcoming romantic comedy alongside Mark Ruffalo and Natalie Portman.
Chuck Timely first appears on the single “High Hopes 3000,” a high-energy track that introduces the album’s storyteller as a man desperately searching for love while fearing he may never find it. This theme gains nuance throughout the rest of the album, as Pillsbury explores the male experience of loneliness with a focus on its genuine complexities rather than reducing it to something simply pitiful. The album’s opening track, “Chucks Mantra,” a slow-paced monologue and raw introduction, sets this tone perfectly, eventually giving way to a choir-like chorus. Pillsbury sings, “I am deserving of something real / Something true, someday soon / The drylands will drain you / I want my life to change tonight / Or by morning light.” The track begins the album with a simple yearning that anyone can relate to: the desire for a love that feels real and true.
Pillsbury’s relationships have been a significant part of his online presence, with his most recent breakup being with actress Dakota Johnson, whose voice appears on “Love I You” in an intimate, interlude-like dialogue between her and Pillsbury. The track focuses more closely on the loneliness of being single and the vulnerability that comes with finding someone to love. Ironically, Pillsbury was not initially looking to mix his work with his relationship with Johnson. After being encouraged to test the track with her voice, however, her contribution ultimately made the final cut. Despite their breakup, Pillsbury shows no signs of cutting the track from his future live performances.
The album closes with two songs that particularly stand out for their melodies and storytelling: “The Wedding” and “Harmony.” “The Wedding” is a deeply emotional track that almost feels like a coming-of-age moment for Pillsbury, or perhaps Chuck Timely. It tells the story of a man who never pictured himself wanting the tradition and routine of a wedding, only to attend his first and have his worldview changed. The song captures the emotion of witnessing an act of love so genuine, it changes the way one views romance as a whole. “Harmony” continues these themes of personal growth and healing after heartbreak, backed by gentle yet driving piano melodies. Pillsbury sings, “Whatever kept me awake last night / Is finally giving me one night free / Play a song that'll dry my eyes / Settle into some harmony.” He ends the album’s exploration of loneliness, romantic yearning, and the search for real love on a hopeful and encouraging note, emphasizing that something good can still emerge from moments of romantic hopelessness.
While the album had a tough act to follow after the popularity and strong songwriting of Kansas Anymore, Chuck Timely and the Hourglass can certainly hold its own in Role Model’s growing discography. That said, while the tracks tell cohesive stories individually, they do not always fit together melodically as seamlessly as their predecessor. Jumping from track to track brings varying paces and melodies, with different levels of country-rock woven into Pillsbury’s indie-pop sound in a way that can feel slightly whiplash-inducing. Still, I applaud Pillsbury for remaining open to new genres, especially one so starkly different from the music he debuted with at the beginning of his career. His live performances, in particular, are where he truly brings each album to life.
Chuck Timely and the Hourglass is available for streaming on most popular streaming services. If you can’t get enough, be sure to catch Role Model on his upcoming tour in support of the album, with tickets available on his website.
