Royel Otis have returned and by all accounts, they are deeply in their feelings. Their new single “moody” just dropped, and it’s exactly what the title promises.
It’s a dreamy, slow-burn indie anthem that floats somewhere between a shoegaze daydream and a late ‘90s stoner love song. It’s not flashy, not trying too hard. It sort of just is. And I reckon that’s what makes it hit so hard.
This one’s built to soundtrack a walk home alone or a hungover drive to nowhere. It’s hazy, hooky, and heartbreak-tinted but not in a self-pitying way. More like you’re halfway through getting over it, and this song’s keeping you company on the ride. The songs premise is simple too. It’s about being in love with a girl who becomes a ‘bitch’ when she’s moody. But despite this, you still love her.
Co-written with Grammy award winning Amy Allen and produced by Blake Slatkin, “moody” doesn’t reinvent Royel Otis by any means. It just doubles down on what already works: that sweet spot between jangly and groggy.
If you caught them live last year, you already know what’s up. If you didn’t, you should fix that that soon. The duo just announced a monster run of dates under the banner of their “meet me in the car tour.” It’s stacked with North American headline shows and stops at Gov Ball, Bonnaroo, Lolla, Outside Lands — basically every fest that matters.
Their sold-out LA shows this week melted ticket sites and previewed tracks off a second album that might just blow up bigger than PRATTS & PAIN. And considering they’ve already racked up 220 million streams and swept the ARIAs, the odds are in their favour.
So the bottom line here, is Royel Otis are on the up again. They’re not chasing trends, or trying to produce a huge hit, they’re owning the lane they carved out when no one was looking.
“moody” is out now. Go feel a little weird about it.
MORE IN Music
