Australia’s guitar-pop duo Royel Otis return with their second album, Hickey, and it’s a magnetic blend of heartache, humor, and sharp hooks. The album rides a wave of jangly, dream-pop melodies tempered by the bruising honesty of young love’s aftermath. Frontman Otis Pavlovic’s voice—endearing, adolescent, tinged with regret—cuts through bright riffs that feel both nostalgic and fresh. Standout tracks like “Car” and “Moody” reveal their knack for crafting earworms that sting with emotional complexity. As The Australian notes, Hickey is powered by sheer grit, refining their signature slacker-indie into a tighter, more FM-ready sound.
With production help from acclaimed collaborators—including Grammy-winner Amy Allen, Oasis’s touring drummer Joey Waronker, and producer Omer Fedi (who co-wrote The Kid Laroi’s smash “Stay”) —Royel Otis sharpen their sonic palette without losing their DIY heart. The result? An album that doesn’t just ride the wave of their youthful rise—it carves out its own path with raw charm and melodic precision.
Hickey dropped on August 22, 2025, through Ourness/Capitol Records . Lead single “Moody” held the #1 spot on Billboard’s Adult Alternative Airplay chart for seven weeks . For a lyrical deep dive, check out their interview with Atwood Magazine (“Mostly Love & Burgers”) .
Listen now: Royel Otis — Hickey (Spotify)
Official video for “Who’s Your Boyfriend”: [YouTube Premiere]
Follow them on Instagram: @royelotis