Album Review: "hickey" - Royel Otis

Ashley Adams
1 day ago
7 min read

Royel Otis have released their second album hickey, featuring expertly crafted tracks about troublesome situations involving life and love, as the duo shows off their alt-pop and pop-rock influences throughout the record.

T R A C K L I S T

i hate this tune
moody
good times
torn jeans
come on home
who's your boyfriend
car
shut up
dancing with myself
say something
she's got a gun
more to lose
jazz burger

The name 'Royel Otis' comes from the first names of the two members of the duo, Royel Maddell and Otis Pavlovic. Hailing from Sydney, Australia, they both shared musical backgrounds before uniting to make music in 2019. Since then, with the abilities of these two very talented musicians combined, they have released hit after hit, not only from their original discography, but from their covers as well. In 2023, they released their debut EP Sofa Kings. In 2024, they released their debut album PRATTS & PAIN, with an extended version following subtitled (It Ain't Over Til It Ends Edition). A little more than a year later, in 2025, they released their second album hickey.

i hate this tune

The album opens on a soft and lo-fi note. A perfect cross between easy listening and punk, the aftermath of a past relationship is brought up in a medium that is often meant to bring joy, but because of painful memories, does the opposite. Sharing common music interests is something cherished in many relationships, so being reminded of an ex-partner from listening to a song that they liked can trigger the mind to feel great discomfort and hurt while listening to it. You may struggle between wanting to turn the song off right away and keeping it on so you can try to relieve the moments of the now-ended relationship.
moody

This song doesn't waste a second to quickly introduce Pavlovic's immense vocal talent. During the song, he's able to quickly switch octaves and personify the lyrics with his distinct singing voice. A relationship is shared between the narrator and their partner that has good moments but concurrently possess toxic qualities. Despite their chemistry being tainted, the narrator can't help but want to continue being with this person, and vice versa. The narrator's girlfriend may be aware of how they describe her, as it is not in a good light, despite the fact that they still remain together.
good times

There is a famous phrase that is "Don't judge a book by its cover". However, Royel Otis meant for this song to be judged by its cover. By the title and beachy and summery production, you would think this was a fun song, but it has a different meaning once you hear Pavlovic sing the lyrics. He talks to himself and asks the question of why he can't be fully happy during positive moments in his life. The answer is essentially that he could be used to getting his hopes up and then being let down, which is why he is now too nervous to fully savor the periods in his life in which everything is going right.
torn jeans

"torn jeans" is what happens when you take some cool, jazzy elevator music and add complimentary drums and a funky bassline, and of course, Pavlovic's amazing voice. This slowed down but still fun-sounding song is about relying on a partner because they make you happy, and you enjoy being around them. You have deep admiration for them and always want to be with them, no matter when or where. The term "torn jeans" is a metaphor created by Royel Otis for appreciating not only the good in something but also the flaws, as that also adds to what is good.
come on home

What is most likely a love letter to Australia, family, and/or previous relationships is a song about harping on nostalgia and missing what things were like in memories of the past. When it comes to fame, it can have a hold on you that pulls you from what you have always known, and then it can suddenly break you down out of nowhere. This is how Royel Otis describes their world post-musical breakout into the industry, and that while they enjoy the life of stardom, they will always appreciate what made them want to make music in the first place, and how important that is to them.
who's your boyfriend

There's nothing more fitting than a song about a love triangle having a music video starring Lola Tung, the actress who plays the main character from The Summer I Turned Pretty, the popular television series about a different love triangle. What also makes this song clever and iconic are the relatable lyrics and the guitar solo that finishes out the song. Completing the vibes of this romcom-esque love story with romantic confusion and unrequited feeling is the 2000s inspired production and instrumentation, heavily pinpointed in the guitar chords.
car

"car" is when you have to face reality in regards to a relationship coming to an end. Sometimes you can just tell when you're falling out of love without someone and you can no longer be together. You can try to keep the relationship going, but it only hinders the truth, which will reveal itself eventually either way. While still harboring a pop vibe, the production style of "car" dives deeper into a punk sound while matching the bittersweet emotions that radiate from the lyrics. This track sounds like when you're driving all night and you start to see the sun come up from the windows.
shut up

A retro time machine takes you to the world that the eight track of hickey is made up of. Similar to "moody", Pavlovic sings about not being able to let someone go. Also similar to "torn jeans", the good moments that are or were the foundation of the romance is what he focuses on the most. He finds comfort and safety in being with this person, and can't imagine separating. Its hard to admit when something has to end, especially when it comes to relationships, which can already be confusing enough on their own. Lo-fi vibes return to the melodies and harmonies of "shut up".
dancing with myself

Maddell refers to this song as a cross between "disco" and "Fleetwood Mac", which are perfect descriptors of "dancing with myself". As Pavlovic sings in a high note throughout the duration of the track, synths waft around him like someone waved a magic wand around the instruments that collaborated together for this upbeat but still easy listening-esque bop. Pavlovic puts romantic relationships to the side to focus on self-love and doing what he wants without thinking about them, putting himself first instead of wondering what others may need from him considering relationships.

say something

When you want closure from a relationship that is on the precipice of its end, it can be frustrating when you don't understand it or when you don't get it right away. Royel Otis are great at defining this thwarting experience in "say something", the tenth track of hickey. It can be hard to believe that you were ever with someone who you very much struggle to communicate with, making you question why you even entered the relationship in the first place. "say something" is yet another song off the album that is reminiscent of the pop-punk genre.

she's got a gun

Although "say something" is a melancholy track, its followed by another song with an uplifting production: "she's got a gun". While the lyrics can be interpreted in different ways, the vibes and style mirror those of "good times" and "torn jeans", which is further proof that the hickey has remained consistent and cohesive throughout its duration. Defined by Royel Otis as "a song about falling", "she's got a gun" can reference the hesitant feelings when you are first catching feels for someone new, or when you know you and your partner are falling apart, or both.
more to lose

The penultimate track lyrically summarizes the overarching themes of hickey, even before we, unfortunately, reach the end of the musical project. As prominent guitars and drums with recognizable distortion effects rush into the song, Pavlovic vocally professes his undying love to his soulmate. His emotions in the regions of love and romance are far too strong for him to leave the relationship he is in. He wants to be with this person forever, as he considers his partner his true love; his one and only that he wants to spend the rest of his life with. The lyrics and nostalgic production make this a great song to set a marriage proposal to.
jazz burger

The final track of hickey is a beautifully constructed guitar-pop ballad, featuring perfect melodies and vocals, and late summer vibes, where the weather is still warm but not overwhelmingly humid. The lyrics can be considered a different side of "come on home", as Royel Otis explain further into what they left behind in Australia. "jazz burger" is a perfect conclusion to the record, as it reminds you of the fun moments that are represented throughout, while also maintaining its wistful characteristics. Side note: this song was the fastest-composed of all of the tracks.

As a first-time listener of Royel Otis, its without a doubt that I have immediately become a new fan after listening to the first track of hickey. Finding music that combines everything I've been listening to for the past 10+ years feels like a diamond in the rough. Listening to their music makes me feel so nostalgic yet their songs are so original and distinct at the same time. Its like something I've never heard before but I can visualize a past life so easily as I journeyed through this album / work of art. Its a masterpiece in musical form, in the extraordinary vocal and musical talents of both members, the visuals, and the relatable and evocative lyrics. You can just tell how much thought was put into the album overall as well as each individual track.

Written By Ashley Adams

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