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Photo: Zora Sicher

Aussie indie duo Royel Otis shares the next taste of their highly anticipated album, hickey, set to release August 22, with the bittersweet and upbeat "say something." The single is a simple yet effervescent track that showcases the duo's unique and nostalgic style, as well as their ability to craft music that resonates deeply with listeners.

"Say something" opens on a wistful note, with rich bass lines and steady percussion that rides on a wave of shimmering guitars. As the track progresses, Otis Pavlovic's dreamy vocals plead for interpersonal resolution as he ponders the turmoil in his relationship. On the hook, as the instrumentation bursts with an understated anguish, he croons, "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."

About "say something," Royel Otis had this to share, "This is a song about unspoken words."

The accompanying music video, directed by Relta, shows the duo traversing through a cloudy, melancholic day, riding on the top of different modes of transportation and catching the wind. It's an understated yet cool visual, perfectly matching the energy of the single.

The forthcoming album hickey comprises 13 tracks, including their previous releases "car" and "moody," and is their first release in a year and a half, since the 2024 debut album, PRATTS & PAIN. The album is a journey through the emotional intensity of love, with the duo sharing about the album title, "Because love bites harder than any other emotion in the world."

Watch the "say something" video below: