Royel Otis Captures the Haunting Art of Unspoken Words with New Single “say something.” Credit to interludio.
Los Angeles, California (July 29, 2025)- The Australian indie phenomenon Royel Otis continues its stratospheric ascent, today releasing the poignant new single, “say something.” This latest track is a bittersweet glimpse into their highly anticipated album, ‘hickey,’ due out on September 19, and arrives on the heels of a career-defining year that has solidified their place at the forefront of global indie rock.
“say something,” which premiered on The Zane Lowe Show, is a melancholic anthem about the power and paralysis of uncommunicated feelings. Co-written by Royel Maddell and Otis Pavlovic with industry heavyweights Billy Walsh (Post Malone, The Weeknd) and producer Omer Fedi (Lil Nas X, The Kid LAROI), the song is a masterclass in emotional restraint. It glimmers with nostalgic guitars and a propulsive rhythm that builds to a plea for honesty: “Sucking all my energy / And even though you wear me out, I’m not gonna let this go / So what do you want from me, what do you need? / Can you say something? Say something / I’m trying to work it out before you leave.” As Otis and Royel simply put it, it’s a song “about unspoken words.”
This release builds on an extraordinary wave of momentum for the duo. Their infectious single “moody” has held the #1 spot on the Billboard Adult Alternative Airplay chart for three weeks, making them the first new artist of the year to achieve the feat. Their cover of Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s “Murder on The Dancefloor” became a viral, zeitgeist-shaping hit, reaching #2 on the Triple J Hottest 100. This immense popularity culminated in a standout four-win night at the 2024 ARIA Awards and a series of electrifying festival performances at Governor’s Ball, Glastonbury, and soon, Fuji Rock and Lollapalooza.
With their demand for live shows at an all-time high, Royel Otis has also announced additional dates for their massive “meet me in the car” tour. The tour kicks off on August 5 and will take them through North America, Australia, and Europe, with many of their headline shows in major cities—including Austin, Toronto, and New York—already sold out. This unprecedented demand is a clear sign that the world is ready to get on board with a band that, as Billboard so aptly put it, “is on one of those runs where you’re best to hop aboard, or get out of the way.”
From their serendipitous start in Bondi to becoming one of the most endearing and effortlessly cool bands to emerge this decade, Royel Otis continues to prove that great music often comes from the most genuine places. “say something” is a powerful reminder of their artistic depth, and a promising taste of the greatness yet to come on their new album, ‘hickey’.
Royel Otis + “meet me in the car” Tour Dates
12/08/25 – Cologne, Germany @ Palladium +
07/27/25 – Minamiuonuma, Niigata @ Fuji Rock
07/30/25 – Chicago, IL @ Thalia Hall (Lollapalooza Aftershow) * (SOLD OUT)
07/31/25 – Chicago, IL @ Lollapalooza
08/01/25 – St. Charles, IA @ Hinterland Music Festival
08/03/25 – Montreal, QC @ Osheaga Festival
**08/05/25 – Seattle, WA @ Paramount Theatre ***
**08/06/25 – Portland, OR @ PDX Live at Pioneer Courthouse Square ***
08/09/25 – San Francisco, CA @ Outside Lands
08/15/25 – Hamburg, Germany @ MS Dockville
08/16/25 – Biddinghuizen, NL @ Lowlands Festival
08/17/25 – Hasselt, Flanders @ Pukkelpop 2025
08/23/25 – Reading, UK @ Reading Festival
08/24/25 – Leeds, UK @ Leeds Festival
09/12/25 – Philadelphia, PA @ Franklin Music Hall ^
09/13/25 – Asbury Park, NJ @ Sea.Hear.Now. Festival
09/14/25 – Washington, DC @ The Anthem ^
09/16/25 – Raleigh, NC @ The Ritz ^
09/17/25 – Atlanta, GA @ The Eastern ^
09/19/25 – Dallas, TX @ The Bomb Factory ^
09/20/25 – Austin, TX @ Stubb’s ^ (SOLD OUT)
09/21/25 – Austin, TX @ Stubb’s ^
09/27/25 – Dana Point, CA @ Ohana Fest
09/28/25 – Tempe, AZ @ Marquee Theatre ^
09/30/25 – Denver, CO @ Mission Ballroom ^
10/02/25 – St. Paul, MN @ Palace Theatre ^
10/03/25 – Kansas City, MO @ Grinders KC ^
10/04/25 – Chesterfield, MO @ The Factory ^
10/06/25 – Toronto, ON @ History^ (SOLD OUT)
10/07/25 – Toronto, ON @ History^
10/10/25 – Boston, MA @ MGM Music Hall at Fenway ^
10/11/25 – New York, NY @ The Rooftop at Pier 17 ^ (SOLD OUT)
10/12/25 – New York, NY @ The Rooftop at Pier 17 ^
10/17/25 – Melbourne, Australia @ Margaret Court Arena
10/20/25 – Fortitude Valley, Australia @ Fortitude Music Hall (SOLD OUT)
10/21/25 – The Fortitude Music Hall – Brisbane
10/24/25 – Moore Park, Australia @ The Hordern Pavilion (SOLD OUT)
10/25/25 – Hordern Pavilion – Sydney
10/29/25 – Northbridge, WA @ The Ice Cream Factory
11/08/25 – Gdańsk, Poland @ Inside Seaside
11/09/25 – Copenhagen, Denmark @ Poolen +
11/10/25 – Stockholm, Sweden @ Fällan +
11/11/25 – Oslo, Norway @ Sentrum +
11/14/25 – Prague, Czech Republic @ SaSaZu +
11/15/25 – Vienna, Austria @ Gasometer +
11/17/25 – Munich, Germany @ Zenith +
11/18/25 – Berlin, Germany @ Columbiahalle
11/19/25 – Amsterdam, Netherlands @ AFAS Live +
12/01/25 – Paris, France @ L’Olympia +
12/02/25 – Zurich, Switzerland @ Halle 622 +
12/03/25 – Milan, Italy @ Fabrique +
12/05/25 – Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg @ Rockhal +
12/06/25 – Brussels, Belgium @ Forrest National +
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