B-Side Guys

In the aftermath of romantic dissolution, we often find ourselves clinging to idealized versions of what once was. August Royals explores this emotional purgatory in “Skintight Crazy,” his second independent release of 2025, where nostalgia collides with the necessary pain of moving forward.

Following a deliberate year of artistic recalibration and studio hibernation, Royals emerges with newfound clarity. Working alongside producer Jon Class (known for his collaborations with Medium Build and Michigander), Royals has crafted a deceptively upbeat track that masks its emotional complexity beneath polished production. The song’s arrangement creates tension between its bright melodic surface and the undercurrent of melancholy that runs through its core.

“This is a song recognizing the highlight reel of love while being aware that’s all it is, a highlight reel,” Royals explains, perfectly capturing the track’s central conflict. This sentiment resonates throughout as he navigates the dissonance between loving someone’s past self while acknowledging the present reality of separation.

What makes “Skintight Crazy” particularly compelling is how it builds upon Royals’ artistic evolution. After departing from RCA Records following his 2022 debut EP Inhaler, Royals has spent time refining his musical identity through collaborations with boundary-pushing artists like Kevin Abstract of Brockhampton, Ryan Beatty, and Dominic Fike. This creative incubation period has clearly paid dividends, resulting in work that balances experimental touches with accessible hooks.

The track serves as an intriguing continuation of Royals’ artistic renaissance that began with “American Spirit” earlier this year. Both releases demonstrate his ability to maintain pop sensibilities while pushing into more vulnerable lyrical territory. For a musician once described by Pigeons & Planes as “the rare kind of talent who’s positioned to strike the difficult balance between artistry and accessibility,” “Skintight Crazy” feels like the fulfillment of that early promise.

As Royals continues his independent journey, “Skintight Crazy” stands as evidence that sometimes artistic growth requires stepping away from the spotlight to rediscover one’s authentic voice. In chronicling love’s lingering ghosts, he may have finally exorcised some of his own.