Today, freshly minted ARIA-nominees and Sydney’s indie kings, Royel Otis, announce their debut album titled, ‘PRATTS & PAIN’ will be released on February 9, 2024. Additionally, the duo share their latest single & music video, Fried Rice available to listen now via OURNESS.
Produced by Grammy Award-winning producer Dan Carey (Wet Leg), ‘PRATTS & PAIN’ is the first jewel in the crown for Otis Pavlovic and Royel Maddell. An album named after the South London pub that sits around the corner from Carey’s famed home studio, the duo often finished lyrics and made sonic directions over a pint on a Pratts & Payne bar stool. Their resulting efforts swing between melodic, pop-inspired indie and woozy psych that never stays to one lane. Handbraking towards psychedelic weirdness and dissonant noise, Royel Otis have no issue keeping all who listen on their toes. After the release of three EPs that took the band on a fast-track ride to global notoriety, ‘PRATTS & PAIN’ unites the record for their next chapter, adventures abound with no limits.
Today’s single is the second to feature on ‘PRATTS & PAIN’ following the year’s earlier release and #1 played track at triple j, Adored. Meanwhile, the band continue to make serious waves in the US Alternative radio charts with Sofa King officially making its way to the Top 40. Thoughtful craftsmanship with a tongue-in-cheek twist, Fried Rice is a signature Royel Otis dish served piping hot. As rattled guitars jangle to a driving rhythm, the drawl of Otis enters to soothing effect, ready for a long summer’s drive singalong.
Royel Otis says on Fried Rice: “Being into someone at the wrong party. They want everyone there but you, so you turn on the charm you think you found at the bottom of a bottle. You succeed in your head but that’s just not the case on reflection. Moral of the story is make sure you know the type of party you’re getting yourself into. Keep your eyes wide shut.”
Most recently, Royel Otis were nominated as Breakthrough Artist for the 2023 ARIA Awards. The recognition follows a sold-out multiple-date national tour, a debut performance at Splendour in the Grass, and a rapturous sold out UK and European tour, including performances at Leeds and Reading Festival, Electric Picnic, Pukkelpop, End of the Road and more, all achieved in the first half of 2023 – and in support of their third EP, ‘Sofa Kings’. From cleaning up ‘Ones to Watch’ lists by the likes of Matt Wilkinson at Apple Music 1, NME, and the Daily Telegraph, to earning Spotify’s RADAR Artist recognition, and being featured in Vogue and GQ, Royel Otis only continue their ascending trajectory.
‘Sofa King’s singles Kool Aid, Sofa King, Going Kokomo and I Wanna Dance With You were quick to receive international and local press adoration from Paper Mag, Purple Sneakers, NME, consistent airplay from BBC Radio 1, Apple Music 1 and the status of Triple J’s #1 Most Played track. Produced by Chris Collins and Royel Otis, the EP delivered visceral stories and quick wit atop blissful guitar-fuzzed haze, landing in major playlists such as Ultimate Indie, All New Indie, DOPAMINE and Today’s Indie Rock (including featuring on the cover). The record followed the band’s sophomore EP ‘Bar ‘N Grill’ in 2022, which saw the pair grace the covers of global playlists including Indie Arrivals and Supersound, Apple Music’s Heaps Indie and more, amassing over 35 million streams, and garnered widespread playlisting support across Australian community radio, US college radio and BBC Radio 6. The band earned a slot in this year’s triple j’s Hottest 200 for Oysters In My Pocket. Meanwhile, they joined Groovin the Moo’s 2023 touring lineup and as supports on alt-j’s Australian tour, with an incredible run of shows for Spilt Milk to come later this year.
Royel Otis return to Australia for a run of festival shows and some dates with DMA’s to close out the year. They are ready to end 2023 in sizzling style, as they sling Fried Rice ahead of their debut album, ‘PRATTS & PAIN’ arriving early next year.
FRIED RICE IS OUT TODAY VIA OURNESS
BUY / STREAM HERE
‘PRATTS & PAIN’ WILL BE RELEASED ON FRIDAY 9 FEBRUARY, 2024 VIA OURNESS – PRE-ORDER HERE
ROYEL OTIS TOUR DATES
TICKET INFO HERE
October 15 – Yours & Owls Festival, Wollongong, NSW
October 20 – Bar on the Hill, Newcastle, NSW (support w/ DMAs)
October 21 – Someday Soon Festival, Sydney, NSW
October 24 – The Tivoli, Brisbane, QLD (support w/ DMAs)
October 25 – The Tivoli, Brisbane, QLD (support w/ DMAs)
October 26 – Venue 114, Bokarina, QLD (support w/ DMAs)
November 25 – Spilt Milk Festival, Canberra, ACT
November 26 – Spilt Milk Festival, Gold Coast, QLD
December 2 – Spilt Milk Festival, Ballarat, VIC
December 3 – Spilt Milk Festival, Perth, WA
With thanks to Thinking Loud
