Role Model, the stage name of Tucker Pillsbury, released his third studio album, Chuck Timely & the Hourglass, on August 7. The album marks a new chapter for the singer, who is also preparing for a UK tour in summer 2027 and a film debut opposite Natalie Portman in Lena Dunham's Good Sex.
Album Details and Tour Plans
The UK tour will follow a major European run with shows in Berlin, Amsterdam, Brussels, Dusseldorf and Paris. It will also come after his appearance at Reading & Leeds Festival this summer. Pillsbury's music spans pop, country, Americana and soul, but he has stressed he doesn't want to be confined to one genre.
In a recent Rolling Stone interview, he said: "I just don't want to be in that race, cause I'm not trying to be a pop star." That genre-blending approach is evident on the album.
Personal Inspirations and Collaborations
Pillsbury previously dated influencer Emma Chamberlain from 2020 until their split in 2023, which inspired his previous album, Kansas Anymore. He has since been linked to actress Dakota Johnson, with the pair first linked in late 2025. Johnson features on Chuck Timely & the Hourglass, adding an interesting backdrop to the record.
The album opens with Chuck's Mantra, a quiet and soulful introduction that sets the tone for its relationship with love. It's followed by the single High Hopes 3000, built around clunky piano chords and his raspy vocals, blending self-deprecation with blind optimism.
Standout Tracks and Reception
The fourth track, Love I Do, explores learning how to commit and invest in a relationship, packed with charisma and humour. Johnson, known for Fifty Shades of Grey and her former relationship with Chris Martin, features on the track. The pair have a compelling back-and-forth during the bridge, with Role Model later saying Johnson "knocked it out better than we could have ever imagined".
The album's second single, Joy, is described by Role Model as a "cocktail song". It sounds deceptively happy but carries a darker message about how joy becomes harder to hold onto as you grow older. While not a personal favourite, it shows Pillsbury's willingness to experiment.
The album's most effective moments come during its slower, more vulnerable tracks, with Honeydew and The Wedding standing out for their emotional pull. Overall, Chuck Timely & the Hourglass feels like an exciting next step for Role Model—honest, funny, emotional and experimental. The album is available to stream on Amazon Music, Apple Music and Spotify.
