As a long-time fan of ROLE MODEL’s, I couldn’t keep quiet about the elephant in the room anymore.
In September 2024, ROLE MODEL covered The 1975’s “Somebody Else” from their “I Like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware of It” album.
If you don’t already know, ROLE MODEL (nee Tucker Pillsbury) is a singer-songwriter, most known for his 3-year relationship with YouTube star Emma Chamberlain. Amid their breakup in October 2023, ROLE MODEL scrapped most of his sophomore album, according to InStyle Australia.
In July 2024, ROLE MODEL released “Kansas Anymore,” his new album discussing heartbreak, personal faults, errors, and the difficulty of moving on after a long-term relationship.
In September, he released a cover of The 1975’s song, “Somebody Else,” with Spotify Singles, a program that allows artists to cover a song of their choice by one of their musical heroes, according to Spotify.
If you're a long-time fan of Pillsbury’s (like me), you know how much he idolizes Matty Healy, the frontman of The 1975.
When this cover was released, I jumped right on it, as I already knew the original version. I have to say, this was my top song in my Spotify Wrapped for 2024. It’s the best cover I think I’ve ever heard.
I think it is better than The 1975’s because I feel it has more energy to it. It is upbeat and fun: a song that instantly changes one’s mood (I know it changes mine, that’s why I listened to it so many times toward the end of 2024).
I am no music connoisseur, but the sound of ROLE MODEL’s version has a guitar, piano, drums, and a folky, acoustic sound to it—a complete contrast to The 1975’s chill, monotone, low-key emo, sad tune.
According to Afterglow, ROLE MODEL’s vocal additives like “woah-oh” and “aw yeah” make the song danceable. It also makes the track feel lighthearted when Healy’s version feels sad and disturbed by a breakup in contrast.
The song perfectly matches the themes of Pillsbury’s album, and with the sound change from The 1975’s version, it feels like a whole new song with a whole new vibe. It feels like ROLE MODEL is accepting the fate of the broken relationship, rather than mourning the end—a theme he comes around to in “Kansas Anymore.”
If you like a mellow breakup song, then I’d say The 1975’s version is for you. It is personally not my vibe and I am honestly going to say I don’t like it that much. As someone who loves upbeat music, ROLE MODEL’s version is one that you’ll have on repeat for days (or maybe months, like me).
I almost forgot to mention that ROLE MODEL is currently on his “Kansas Anymore” tour, which began after he completed opening Gracie Abrams' tour, “The Secret of Us.” This cover blew up on social media, making ROLE MODEL add it to his setlist.
As I await March, when I go see him on tour, I’ll have this song on repeat. I can’t wait to hear it live.
As for now, I can only wait in excitement.
Dominique Mercadante is the head editor for The Setonian’s Campus Life section. She can be reached at dominique.mercadante@student.shu.edu.
