Royel Otis Set August Release for Second Album ‘Hickey'
The follow-up to their breakthrough debut Pratts & Pain (2024), Hickey was officially announced on June 24. The album features the single 'Moody,' which was first released on May 9 and teased during a sold-out show in Los Angeles. The track marks a confident return that showcases their distinctive blend of dream-pop hooks, jangly guitars, and melancholic lyricism.
More from Billboard
Turnstile Soundtrack New Taco Bell Commercial Featuring Tony Hawk
Slick Rick Releases Cinematic 'VICTORY' Short Film Starring Nas, Idris Elba & Giggs
Tyler, The Creator Hates Your New Podcast: 'We Need Electricians'
According to Sydney-based bandmates Royel Maddell and Otis Pavlovic, the album's title was inspired by the emotional intensity of love itself. '…because love bites harder than any other emotion in the world,' they explained in a statement.
The album's first single, 'Moody,' was co-written with Grammy-winning songwriter Amy Allen and produced by Blake Slatkin, known for his work with Gracie Abrams, Omar Apollo, and Charli XCX. The track is 'about a girl,' they said simply, letting the emotionally-charged music speak for itself.
However, the single has attracted some criticism for its lyrical content. The chorus line, 'My girl's a b–h when she's moody,' was flagged by fans and media outlets as potentially misogynistic. In a statement released via their legal team, Royel Otis responded: 'This song is written from a specific perspective, it is not intended to convey a broader view or standpoint about women in general. We apologise if anyone understood those lyrics otherwise.'
Royel Otis first formed in 2019, releasing a series of EPs between 2021 and 2023 before issuing their debut album, Pratts & Pain in 2024. Though their 'Sofa King' track reached No. 12 on the Alternative Airplay chart in 2023, the band found widespread fame last year following their cover of Sophie Ellis-Bextor's 'Murder on the Dancefloor' for Australian radio station triple j's Like a Version series.
The cover topped the Alternative Airplay charts and also peaked at No. 41 on the Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart. The group's penchant for covers was again felt when their SiriusXM session rendition of The Cranberries' 'Linger' was released, giving them their first appearance on the Hot 100 when it reached No. 94.
In late 2024, the duo picked up four ARIA Awards from eight nominations, including Best Group and Best Rock Album. Producer Chris Collins also won for Best Produced Release and Best Engineered Release for Pratts & Pain.
Royel Otis are continuing their global ascent in 2025. Following a string of sold-out shows in New York City, Austin, and at home in Sydney, they're heading to Europe for a series of major shows, including an appearance at Glastonbury Festival on June 29. From there, they'll kick off their 'meet me in the car' headline tour across North America.
In a recent Rolling Stone AU/NZ interview, the band spoke candidly about their creative process. 'We'll start working on some stuff in early January,' Pavlovic said. 'We've got a little bit of time away to just work on some music. I don't know how anyone has an actual schedule or a routine of how they write songs. We just work together, bounce ideas off each other.'
'It's always different,' Maddell added. 'It's like building a cake.'
Best of Billboard
Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1
Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits
H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
21 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Qloud Games Raises $5M Seed Round Led by BITKRAFT and GFR Fund to Build the First Cozy Solarpunk MMO, Loftia
Loftia will bring live service, cross-platform multiplayer, and community-driven development to the cozy space Company releases trailer of the "Hanging Gardens" region of Loftia SYDNEY, Aug. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Qloud Games, the independent studio behind the upcoming massively multiplayer online game Loftia, today announced a $5 million seed funding round led by BITKRAFT Ventures and GFR Fund, with participation from Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), 1UP Fund and Gaingels. The new funding follows Loftia's record-breaking Kickstarter campaign, which has become Australia's most successful gaming crowdfunding effort. Loftia: A New Kind of MMO for a New Generation Founded by Michael Su, Martina Qin and Eric Mallon, Qloud Games is pioneering the first cozy MMO set in a vibrant solarpunk world. Unlike traditional MMOs or life-sim games, Loftia is designed from the ground up to foster positive, collaborative, and eco-conscious gameplay. Players will work together to create eco-friendly cities, design personalized community spaces, and collaborate on sustainability projects that evolve the game world over time. From farming and foraging to crafting with green technologies like hydroponics, wind turbines, and biofuel, every system in Loftia reinforces its themes of environmental stewardship and cooperation. The game also introduces large-scale community quests, where players participate in server-wide initiatives that drive collective progress and deepen social bonds. With robust customization options for homes, outfits, gadgets, and even pets—each infused with solarpunk-inspired aesthetics—Loftia invites players to relax, express their creativity, and engage at their own pace in a non-competitive, welcoming environment designed to foster belonging. "With Loftia, we're creating the kind of world we wish existed—one where people work together to create a brighter future," said Michael Su, CEO and co-founder of Qloud Games. "Thanks to the support of BITKRAFT, GFR Fund, a16z, and our Kickstarter backers, we're excited to bring Loftia to life." A Genre-Defining Opportunity The cozy gaming genre has exploded in popularity in recent years, but most top titles remain primarily single-player experiences. Loftia is pioneering a new path by bringing live service, cross-platform multiplayer, and community-driven development to the cozy space, filling a gap in the market for players seeking meaningful social gameplay. "Michael and Martina have put everything into Loftia—investing over $500,000 of their own capital earned from a Canva ESOP, rallying a record‑breaking Kickstarter, and building a 600,000‑strong community before launch," said Jasper Brand, Partner at BITKRAFT Ventures. "With a successful Alpha already behind them, funding secured through launch, and a real distribution edge in the massive but underserved cozy genre, they're poised to bring live service, cross‑platform, and social play to a new generation of players—and build a world‑class studio from Australia with global impact." Community at the Center Loftia's success is rooted in its close relationship with its player community. The studio raised $1.3 million on Kickstarter in 2024, and over 600,000 fans already follow Loftia across TikTok, Instagram, Discord, and Reddit—platforms where Qloud Games actively collaborates with players to shape the game's development. Unlike many traditional game studios, Qloud is building Loftia with its players, not just for them. This collaborative approach has led to meaningful changes, from letting the community decide on Kickstarter stretch goals to adding NPCs inspired by real community members, introducing specific gameplay features players requested, and even removing NPC romance after thoughtful conversations with fans. Loftia's audience is primarily young adults looking for a relaxing, social escape, and Qloud Games meets them where they are—engaging authentically and making players feel like true co-creators, not just customers. Link to trailer: Wishlist Loftia on SteamPlayers can wishlist Loftia on Steam today to be among the first to access the game when Early Access launches. Steam Wishlist: About Qloud GamesQloud Games is a Sydney-based independent game studio founded by a couple who left the corporate world to create their dream game. Along the way, they've built a passionate team of 30 developers who come from both indie and AAA game studios all over the world. Focused on community, sustainability, and human connection, Qloud is building Loftia, the first-ever cozy solarpunk MMO. About BITKRAFT Ventures BITKRAFT Ventures is a global investment platform at the intersection of games, immersive technology, Web3, and AI. With over $1B in assets under management and more than 130 portfolio companies, BITKRAFT is built by founders for founders. The firm leverages deep domain expertise, a decentralized global presence, and institutional-grade infrastructure to back visionary teams building in interactive media and adjacent verticals. BITKRAFT's core belief is that gaming is not just the largest entertainment sector—it is a catalyst for consumer and technology innovation and a blueprint for the future of digital experiences. Founded by industry veterans with decades of entrepreneurial experience, BITKRAFT delivers a unique combination of high-conviction investing, hands-on operational support, and a strong network of strategic LPs. We've raised and deployed capital across multiple fund strategies—venture, growth, Web3, and emerging markets—consistently outperforming benchmarks with top-quartile returns. Our thesis centers on "Synthetic Reality™," a future where digital worlds are central to life, work, and identity. By investing at the frontier of this shift, BITKRAFT is shaping the companies and infrastructure that will define the next generation of entertainment and human interaction. For a full list of public investments made to date, view BITKRAFT's portfolio here. About GFR Fund GFR Fund is a San Francisco-based and globally-oriented venture capital fund backing founders pioneering in consumer technology. With decades of experience in operating and investing in entertainment and consumer tech, GFR is committed to empowering visionaries shaping the future of digital communities and cultures. GFR values the power of community-building. Whether they have a product with an existing community or are in the early stages of building one, we seek entrepreneurs who understand the significance of fostering dedicated communities. We focus on pre-seed, seed, and Series A investments, providing crucial support to startups in their formative years. GFR is backed by strategic investors from Asia. We are based in San Francisco, New York, and Singapore, investing across North America, Europe, Africa, South America, and Southeast Asia. View all our companies here. Media Contact:Mary Magnanimarym@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Qloud Games
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Popular ‘80s Band Refutes Embarrassing Fake ED Report: ‘Please Don't Be Fooled'
Popular '80s Band Refutes Embarrassing Fake ED Report: 'Please Don't Be Fooled' originally appeared on Parade. Crowded House recently took to social media to refute a report featuring a fake AI interview with the band's frontman , 67, that claimed he fathered a child after overcoming erectile dysfunction. 'We're not sure where this came from but please don't be fooled. Neil's never had trouble with erections,' read a message on the band's official Facebook account above the fake video report. 🎬 SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬 The clip appears to feature New Zealand journalist Simon Dallow on a news broadcast that claims the 'Don't Dream It's Over' singer has once again become a father after overcoming a personal problem. It's followed by an AI-generated video version of a fake Finn, sharing his personal problems. 'I never thought I'd be able to become a father again. Honestly, I believe that chapter of my life was closed, not because I didn't want it, but because I simply couldn't.' The fake Finn also said, 'For years, I lived with a problem most men are too ashamed to talk about. My erections became weaker and weaker until they stopped altogether. No desire, no confidence, no control. I was too embarrassed to even talk to my wife about it.'Fans approached the issue with a mix of humor and shock in their comments on Facebook. 'Neil's new album featuring hits such as "Better be Hard Soon", "Don't dream Erections are over", "Semi's so strong", "Now we're growing somewhere", "Don't flop now", and of course the classic "Four boners in one day,'' wrote one fan, who tweaked the names of some Crowded House songs to fit the fake news. 'Jesus AI is getting good. But you did write a fantastic tune early on with "something so strong" so I had always wondered ,' commented another. 'God bless you Neil and your erection, it gave us Liam and Elroy and therefore more amazing music… perhaps you should insure it??? ,' wrote another fan, referring to Finn's real adult sons who are both solo artists and members of Crowded House. Popular '80s Band Refutes Embarrassing Fake ED Report: 'Please Don't Be Fooled' first appeared on Parade on Aug 14, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Aug 14, 2025, where it first appeared. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
The Block fans slam $3 million detail: 'They need to change'
In recent years, houses on The Block have sold at auction for wild sums. In 2022, Omar and Oz made Block history when their house sold for $5,666,666.66, scoring them a huge profit of $1,586,666 plus $100,000 in prize money. Then, in 2023, Steph and Gian, who sold their house for $5m, made a record-breaking profit of $1.65m, plus $100,000 in prize money. Although they didn't break the record, last year's winners, Maddy and Charlotte, achieved a significant $1.55m, plus the $100,000 in prize money, after selling their property for $3.5m. So, it's no surprise that this year's houses are expected to go for a huge amount at auction. However, fans disagree with the judges' expectations for the houses' sale prices. On Sunday night, Darren Palmer said that the execution of Sonny and Alicia's kids bedrooms wasn't to a high standard, telling the other judges, "We've said it from the beginning, that this is The Block of details, and it's every little detail that you miss, that somebody else has picked up that may cost you a win." "This about the detail, because these homes are selling in excess of $3m, you expect a level of finish that is to that price point," Marty Fox agreed. The Block viewers slam $3m detail RELATED: The Block's 2025 location offers idyllic weekend getaway less than 2 hours from Melbourne The Block's Sonny and Alicia make major change that divides fans: 'Nightmare' The Block's Dan Reilly reveals major gripe about contestants: 'Fascinates me' One viewer took to Reddit, taking issue with the comment, writing, "Here's an idea, give them more than a week to finish them." "Right! Just give them 2 weeks you'd have more content captured as well," another responded. "How can they do the challenges plus the filming plus get ready for Sunday presos, film the walk through of the other contestants rooms in one week." The OP responded, "Absolutely. This programme format worked 15 years ago or so when this started… but since then, the market has changed, tradies aren't a dime a dozen, The Block has a 'reputation' and if they want decent trades who can do a decent job, they need to change." "As soon as I heard that I lost it," a third said. "No one is going to be paying $3m in Daylesford unless there is huge land allocation associated with the house. It's not the Melbourne market at all." "They must already have buyers identified," one person hypothesised. "I could see maybe a company buying the lot for luxury BnB's. But yeah, can't imagine many individuals are lining up." "Who wouldn't want a multi million dollar home, built by amateurs under time pressure, with a limited budget?" another viewer added sarcastically. "Nine in Six would surely come through and touch up any defects between the end of production and auction." Others pointed out that the views from the houses are likely just "temporary" as the "whole area is a new development". Daylesford is the 'perfect tourist destination' Buxton Ballarat director Mark Nunn, who is the listing agent for House 3's Britt and Taz, previously told Yahoo Lifestyle that Daylesford is the "perfect tourist destination" for those living in Melbourne. "It's got so much to offer from a weekend point of view. Restaurants are really high quality, the accommodation's really high quality, you've got lots of massage and mineral spas that are available, there are amazing wineries around the place, and it's quite a visually pretty place when you go through," he explains. SHOP: 🏉 Rugby fan's huge airport surprise after landing in Sydney: 'Surreal' 🛏️ Expert reveals secret to the best night's sleep: 'Wouldn't choose anything else' 🦥 Boody's new range in sizes S to XL are 'the softest sets you'll ever wear': 'Comfy and chic' "It's also close to the city, so it's not hard to get to. You can duck up on a Friday afternoon or a Friday night, have a really nice weekend, and then get back Sunday night without having to take a flight or a long drive. So accessibility is a great thing." While it does sound lovely, $3m does sound like a lot of money for a house you'd visit for the odd weekend. What do you think?
