Review: Kansas Anymore by ROLE MODEL

7.5/10

Tucker’s personality shines through in this candid record about the tail-end of a relationship.

Tucker has always had an effortlessly extroverted personality—at least in his music. We first saw this in our little angel, an EP brimming with luminous hooks and cheeky, playful lyrics. It painted him as an easygoing pop artist, but it never quite revealed what lingers in his mind when the sun goes down.

Luckily, Kansas Anymore does just that. The album is soaked in vulnerability, capturing the feeling of being so lost and disoriented that returning home feels like the only option. The opening track sets the tone, placing us at the beginning of the end—Tucker, seeking advice from his dad on how to salvage a crumbling relationship. This feeling deepens on the second track, where he expresses appreciation for his partner, before unraveling into self-reproach on Scumbag. These early moments set the stage for the album’s emotional peak: Oh, Gemini. Stripped-down production allows the central theme to shine—Tucker’s raw pain over losing someone he loves. As the album progresses, there’s a sense of discovery, as if Tucker himself is untangling his emotions alongside the listener. On The Dinner, he explores the stark contrast between two lovers who belong to different worlds, their relationship nothing more than a fleeting miracle.

Just when the album seems poised to sink into melancholy, the mood shifts toward something more hopeful—a deliberate move that steers it away from pure ballad territory. Compromise finds Tucker wishing his lover well, urging her not to settle for anything less than what she deserves. Through it all, we watch him navigate confusion, clarity, and hope—while still deeply in love. It’s a refreshing take from an artist with such a public relationship, especially in an era of chronically online audiences.

After multiple listens, I can’t help but wonder if Tucker himself was the one who couldn’t save this relationship. And yet, I still root for him. That’s a rare, difficult emotion to evoke—but his honesty, vulnerability, and quiet optimism make it all come together.