Love, loss, and a touch of humor – Royel Otis share insights about the heart, laughter, and humanity inspiring their second studio album, ‘hickey,’ just hours before their performance at Lollapalooza.
Stream: “say something” – Royel Otis
For the Australian musical duo Royel Otis, the number two holds special significance - both in terms of their partnership and their sophomore album, hickey. Their collaboration ignites an undeniable chemistry that is evident in their music and live shows. Royel (Pavlovic) is incomplete without Otis (Maddell), and vice versa; they are simply meant to be together. Over the past six years, they have evolved into a dynamic duo that is capturing audiences worldwide. The eagerly awaited second album, hickey, will be released on August 22nd and promises to deliver a bittersweet reflection on love, farewells, and the complexities in between. They describe the reasoning behind the title as, "because love bites harder than any other emotion in the world."
Much like a hickey leaves a mark, love does the same. Though hickeys may bruise, they eventually heal. This analogy fits whether referring to fleeting love or temporary pain, as it takes an emotional toll on the heart, which deeply processes both hurt and affection. The title carries significant symbolism—from the intense feelings it embodies to the implications of departing from those we cherish.
The three promotional singles from the album offer fans a glimpse into Royel Otis’ evolving artistry while diving into these themes. Their debut single, “moody,” focuses on a girl, while the second single, “car,” encapsulates the essence of goodbyes. The recently unveiled “say something” reflects on unexpressed thoughts.
As they step into this thrilling new phase of their career, Royel Otis brought vibrant energy to their stage performance, featuring a mix of new, familiar, and cherished tracks. They shared snippets from the upcoming album at Lollapalooza, including covers and previous hits.
Atwood Magazine had the chance to speak with Royel Otis about their anticipated release just hours before their appearance on Lollapalooza’s Lakeshore stage.
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:: stream/purchase Hickey here ::
:: connect with Royel Otis here ::
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Stream: “moody” – Royel Otis
A CONVERSATION WITH ROYEL OTIS
Atwood Magazine: You both are a creative force; how do you plan to harness this energy for your set at Lollapalooza today? Will you be performing any unreleased tracks from your upcoming album?
Royel Pavlovic: Expect lots of energy, a touch of jetlag, and we'll play four new songs, including one unreleased track.
Otis Maddell: We’ll be performing an unreleased song titled “who’s your boyfriend.”
You’ve been candid about the themes present in your last three singles. What other subjects does the album explore?
Otis: Mostly love and burgers too.
Royel: I’d say it heavily revolves around love and the need to let go, particularly since we’ve been touring extensively. Being away from family leads to feelings of missing and longing for loved ones.
How is tour life for you both?
Otis: It’s like a rollercoaster; it has its ups and downs, but it’s exciting. It's wonderful to discover new places.
Royel: It truly is a rollercoaster, and you learn to coexist very closely with each other and your team. A good team is essential; I love touring, but it requires effective management. We have a fantastic team, which makes it enjoyable.
For each single, you’ve offered a prompted description. For the album, how would you summarize it?
Otis: It's a collection of songs about goodbyes.
“say something” is about unexpressed feelings. If given the chance to alter the past, would you? How have past pains shaped who you are today?
Otis: If I did, everything would likely be too perfect. So, no, I wouldn’t change the past, maybe a few things.
Royel: I'm not sure; without challenges, we wouldn’t grow. If you could backtrack and correct challenges, there wouldn't be any rewards from overcoming them. I wouldn’t change anything; I’d choose to experience it all again.
As the release date approaches and with three singles already out, how do you feel about launching your second LP?
Otis: Honestly, I feel good. There are some songs in there that I think are unique and interesting.
Royel: I just want it to be released so I can hear people’s thoughts and their favorite tracks. I’m excited about this LP and can't wait to get back in the studio when we have time for more recording. I'm eager to know what people think of it; it's a bit
Royel Otis discusses the themes of love, loss, and humor that inspire their second studio album, ‘hickey,’ just hours before their performance at Lollapalooza.
