On Aug. 7, ROLE MODEL released his third studio album “Chuck Timely & the Hourglass.” Fresh off the success of his second album and its deluxe version, “Kansas Anymore” and hits like “Sally, When The Wine Runs Out,” this was an extremely anticipated release. 

ROLE MODEL, known for leaking music and not taking anything too seriously, had released snippets and eventually singles for the album, which only encouraged listeners. “High Hopes 3000” and “Joy” were quick hits for pop listeners, and assured fans that “Chuck Timely and the Hourglass” was not going to disappoint. 

With his unique something-between-country-indie-and-pop sound, the first two singles featured ROLE MODEL’s signature brutally honest lyricism and fun instrumentals. And, if you are a fan of a good bridge in a song, this album has definitely got you covered. 

The opener to the album, “Chuck’s Mantra” features a ticking clock in the background. ROLE MODEL enters, proclaiming he is “deserving of something real, something true, someday soon,” and that time is “no friend” of his. It sets the tone for the album, with a chilling and emotional backtrack of long chords and what sounds like a choir singing with him.  

“Song Is All You Get” is the next track (after single “High Hopes 3000”) on the album, and talks about how sometimes, in his experience, relationships leave you with nothing but a song, or just the thought of someone.  

With somewhat of a tone switch, “Love I You” talks about how sometimes, yearning for romance can be a messy escapade. It also features actress Dakota Johnson’s voice in the bridge, seemingly a flirty banter between the two. The song is reminiscent of Sabrina Carpenter’s “Go Go Juice,” so if that is a song you enjoy, I recommend “Love I You.”  

“Chasing Midnight” follows a sense of impending doom in a relationship, but for the second, they are “chasing midnight,” and “dancing around the fact that you’ll be gone in a minute.” The instrumentals of this song are slower, with a more acoustic feel. 

Raw, unfiltered lyricism continues in “Good Thing,” where ROLE MODEL gets extremely authentic about his doubts and lack of trust or belief in whether this new thing is good or not.  

“Service Receipt,” the next track after single “Joy,” returns to lighthearted instrumentals, and examines his journey in trying to move on with other people while he can’t stop thinking about his past.  

“Honeydew” is another slower track, but a sweet one, in my opinion. ROLE MODEL is seemingly relating to the person in the song, that he has been where they are, and that he’s there to help them in any way he can. 

The next track is reminiscent of something you might hear out on a boat, or just lying on the beach in the summer. The flute and fun backing are something that stands out on the track “Stain,” and the lyrics compare a past relationship to a stain that he just can’t get out. While there are speculations on who the song is about, I think the lyrics “well I’m sorry that it didn’t work out with your man / But there’s nothing fun in feeling like a backup plan / Just write a few songs / Put a pen in your hand / That worked for me babe” are silly and fun, and something that only ROLE MODEL can say in a half-joking, half-serious way.  

If you’re looking to be happily devastated by a song, I recommend “The Wedding.” ROLE MODEL gets real here, saying how he thought he knew himself when he went to a friend’s wedding and thought he would never be that person, but he’s realizing “hope ain’t lost on me.” 

“Harmony,” the closing track, is a beautiful and fun conclusion to this “Chuck Timely” journey. In my personal favorite song of the album, ROLD MODEL talks about how he is finally at peace or finding harmony. It’s a good mood-lifter, and a reminder to not let many things keep you up at night — play a good song and “settle into some harmony.” 

For the sappy listeners, throw on some “Chuck’s Mantra,” “Chasing Midnight” or “The Wedding.” For those looking for a new pop jam, “Joy” and “High Hopes 3000” might be your next listen. And, for anyone who wants to feel uplifted on maybe a bad day, “Harmony” has got you covered. 

Whether you’re feeling introspective, blasting some music with your best friends with the windows down, or just casually listening, ROLE MODEL has something for you on his new album “Chuck Timely & the Hourglass.”