Australian indie duo Royel Otis has stormed onto the ARIA Charts, with their sophomore album “Hickey” debuting at No. 5 on the prestigious Australian Albums Chart in 2025. The achievement marks a career-best for the Bondi-based pair, consisting of Royel Maddell on guitar and Otis Pavlovic on vocals, who have been steadily building momentum since their formation in 2019.
Released on August 22, 2025, through their label Ourness in partnership with Capitol Records, “Hickey” has demonstrated remarkable commercial appeal while maintaining the guitar-pop aesthetic that has become the duo’s signature sound. The album benefits from production contributions by industry heavyweights Omer Fedi and Blake Slatkin, who helped craft its polished yet authentically indie soundscape. Liberty Dunworth from NME specifically praised the album for its woozy guitar lines and hazy vocals that have become hallmarks of their distinctive style.
Hickey blends polished production with authentic indie charm, showcasing Royel Otis’ evolution while staying true to their guitar-pop roots.
Royel Otis’ ascent to the upper echelons of the ARIA chart follows their impressive haul of four ARIA Awards in 2024, including Best Rock Album and Best Group. Their growing popularity stems partly from viral covers of Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s “Murder on the Dancefloor” and The Cranberries’ “Linger,” which garnered millions of streams and expanded their international reach. The cover of “Murder on the Dancefloor” alone has accumulated over 70 million Spotify streams since its release.
The album’s success extends well beyond Australian shores, with notable chart positions across Europe and New Zealand. “Hickey” reached No. 14 on both the UK Albums Chart and the Dutch Albums Top 100, while securing positions at No. 34 in Germany, No. 9 in Scotland, and No. 32 in New Zealand. The duo has effectively leveraged playlist pitching strategies across multiple streaming platforms to maximize their global reach and audience engagement. Beyond streaming revenue, Royel Otis has diversified their income through sync deals for several tracks from the album, placing their music in popular television shows and advertisements.
Critics and fans have embraced “Hickey” for its summery vibes, catchy guitar riffs, and memorable vocal hooks, positioning it as an ideal soundtrack for coastal drives and parties. The album’s strong chart performance, competing effectively against established artists, consolidates Royel Otis’ rising commercial viability and artistic credibility.
The duo’s trajectory continues upward as “Hickey” builds on their previous successes, further cementing their reputation as purveyors of guitar-pop summer anthems that balance commercial appeal with indie authenticity.
