Role Model Chuck Timely & The Hourglass

Tracks: Chuck's Mantra, High Hopes 3000, Song Is All You Get, Love I You, Chasing Midnight, Good Thing, Joy, Service Receipt, Honeydew, Stain, The Wedding, Harmony

Label: Interscope Records


Before his breakthrough hit Sally, When the Wine Runs Out, Role Model often felt like an artist still searching for his identity. That song changed everything, pairing effortless charm with sharp songwriting, and Chuck Timely & The Hourglass proves it was no fluke. Rather than simply chasing the success of his biggest hit to date, Role Model uses it as a springboard for an album that feels more confident, more adventurous and, ultimately, more complete.

The record leans heavily into a warm, barroom atmosphere, where rollicking country-rock rubs shoulders with polished folk-pop and heart-on-sleeve balladry. There's a looseness to the performances that gives the songs real character, yet everything remains tightly crafted. Rolling Stones-inspired guitar riffs, boogie-woogie piano flourishes and singalong choruses create an irresistible sense of fun without ever feeling forced.

While Kansas Anymore was largely defined by heartbreak; Chuck Timely & The Hourglass shifts its focus towards the uncertainty and excitement of modern dating. Role Model writes with increasing maturity, balancing self-awareness with humour as he explores fleeting romances and the pressure of finding lasting love. Time becomes a recurring theme, with the album capturing those moments when growing up feels both exciting and daunting.

Tracks such as Love I You showcase his evolution as a songwriter, blending infectious melodies with conversational lyrics that feel natural rather than overly polished. Even guest appearances, including Dakota Johnson's playful cameo, enhance rather than distract from the album's easy-going charm.

What stands out most is the confidence running throughout the record. Role Model no longer sounds like an artist hoping listeners will connect; he sounds like one who knows exactly who he is. The vulnerability remains, but it's now balanced with wit, swagger and a genuine sense of enjoyment.

Chuck Timely & The Hourglass doesn't reinvent the genre, nor does it need to. Instead, it refines the qualities that made Sally, When the Wine Runs Out such a breakout success and expands them into a consistently engaging collection. It's a significant step forward for Role Model, confirming that his biggest hit was the beginning of something much more substantial rather than the peak.