Breakout duo Royel Otis are on the defense in their new single “moody”

Royel Otis released their second single of the year, just in time for their jam-packed tour schedule. Grappling with a lack of balance and communication, “moody”, is a laid back spring into summer track. Written alongside Grammy-winning writer Amy Allen (Justin Bieber, Sabrina Carpenter) as well as writer/producer Blake Slatkin (The Kid Laroi, SZA), this earworm is no surprise.

Posting a caption-less photo of a woman sporting a “moody” T-shirt on Instagram a little less than a month ago was the first glimpse of the new single. Along with a few posters, the rollout was quite quick.

“moody” is an honest look into a relationship, where the singer acknowledges their partner’s flaws yet continues to overlook them. Otis Pavlovic (vocals) begins, setting the scene with his “good intentions.” The first verse lays out some points of tension, with the conclusion that he’s in trouble ie: “I’m in the doghouse again.” It seems that the singer is on the fence about the relationship continuing in this way as he goes into the chorus. The lyrics detail someone who is always on constant defense, making excuses for poor behavior. Continuing to overlook the tension, the truth is that both of them may not be as right for each other as they once thought. “She’s all that need”, the couplet goes, confessing in the last line of the song “Sometimes more than I want”.

The song is accompanied by a visualizer, directed by Adriane Neshoda. The video shows a woman reading a book, hanging her clothes out to dry whilst also sitting underneath a sprinkler – fully encompassing the themes of the single.

Upcoming Royel Otis live shows — including “meet me in the car tour” dates (headlining dates are bolded and tickets are available here):

5/5/25 Los Angeles, CA @ The Troubadour (sold out)
5/6/25 Los Angeles, CA @ The Troubadour (sold out)
6/8/25 New York, NY @ The Governors Ball Music Festival
6/15/25 Manchester, TN @ Bonnaroo
6/21/25 Lisbon, Portugal @ Meo Kalorma
6/27/25 St.Gallen, Switzerland @ Sittertobel, St. Gallen
6/29/25 Pilton, UK @ Glastonbury Festival
7/3/25 Barcelona, Spain @ Vida Festival
7/6/25 Belfort, France @ Eurockéennes
7/7/25 Montreux, Switzerland @ Montreux Jazz Festival
7/10/25 Madrid, Spain @ Mad Cool Festival
7/13/25 Berlin, Germany @ Lollapalooza Berlin
7/27/25 Minamiuonuma, Niigata @ Fuji Rock
7/31/25 Chicago, IL @ Lollapalooza
8/1/25 St.Charles, IA @ Hinterland Music Festival
8/3/25 Montreal, QC @ Osheaga Festival
8/5/25 Seattle, WA @ Paramount Theatre *
8/6/25 Portland, OR @ PDX Live at Pioneer Courthouse Square *
8/9/25 San Francisco, CA @ Outside Lands
8/15/25 Hamburg, Germany @ MS Dockville
8/16/25 Biddinghuizen, NL @ Lowlands Festival
8/23/25 Reading, UK @ Reading Festival
8/24/25 Leeds, UK @ Leeds Festival
9/12/25 Philadelphia, PA @ Franklin Music Hall ^
9/14/25 Washington, DC @ The Anthem ^
9/15/25 Asbury Park, NJ @ Sea.Hear.Now Festival
9/16/25 Raleigh, NC @ The Ritz ^
9/19/25 Dallas, TX @ The Bomb Factory ^
9/20/25 Austin, TX @ Stubb’s ^
9/28/25 Tempe, AZ @ Marquee Theatre ^
9/30/25 Denver, CO @ Mission Ballroom ^
10/2/25 St. Paul, MN @ Palace Theatre ^
10/3/25 Kansas City, MO @ Grinders KC ^
10/4/25 Chesterfield, MO @ The Factory ^
10/10/25 Boston, MA @ MGM Music Hall at Fenway ^
10/11/25 New York, NY @ The Rooftop at Pier 17 ^