“She’s truly remarkable,” he expresses about Swift. “In my opinion, she ranks among the finest songwriters of our generation.”

Initially left off the original Red album in 2012, “Nothing New” resurfaced during the 2021 re-recording of the album. The song features Swift reflecting on her relevance as a budding pop-country star, with poignant verses exchanged with Bridgers, who contributes harmonies to the memorable chorus and bridge. Their live performance debut of the song occurred on May 5, 2023, in Nashville, as part of the remarkable lineup for The Eras Tour, where Bridgers joined Swift for several nights, captivating audiences with their collaboration.

“I adore the chorus and how it subtly shifts each time,” Role Model shares about “Nothing New,” elaborating on the inspirations behind his interpretation. “It evokes that feeling of, ‘I’ve had one too many drinks tonight’ — I feel an urge to dance and scream along. That’s why we incorporated drums and a hint of twang into the mix. I aimed to slightly elevate the tempo, introduce drums, and infuse the song with the essence of Kansas Anymore. The goal was to create a warm ambiance with a danceable groove and a touch of twang, even incorporating pedal steel. I envisioned something that would make you want to do a slow two-step to it.”

While “Nothing New” expresses the sentiments of a girl in the limelight, concerned about the inevitability of being overshadowed by newer talents (“People love an ingénue,” Swift delivers with a poignant yet dry tone, following Bridgers’ line, “Are we only biding time ’til I lose your attention?”), Role Model finds a personal connection to the lyrics as an artist himself.

“I’ve mentioned this before,” he reflects. “People’s attention spans are rapidly diminishing, an alarming trend. I strive not to bask in the attention I receive at this stage of my career, which, to be honest, is probably the most successful I’ve ever been. I consciously remind myself that people will eventually forget or move on, and there will be someone newer, shinier, and more talented than me who comes along. I totally relate to Taylor’s journey.”

Role Model once encountered Bridgers at Coachella but modestly speculates that she may not remember him. He has yet to meet Swift, but with his recent performance gaining traction and his tour with Abrams, he finds himself increasingly within Swift’s orbit, albeit indirectly. As an opener on Swift’s Eras Tour, Abrams co-wrote and recorded the Grammy-nominated duet “us.” which stands out on her The Secret of Us album.

Regarding his hopes to meet Swift in the future, Role Model, who recently unveiled several new tracks, including “Sally, When the Wine Runs Out,” through the deluxe album Kansas Anymore (The Longest Goodbye), expressed, “I would absolutely love to meet her. It would be a dream come true.”