Bop or flop? KATSEYE's 'Gnarly' dispels first-listen doubts

Girl group KATSEYE / Captured from KATSEYE's Instagram

"You're not gonna get the song the first time you hear it."

That quote from Nicki Minaj, lip-synced by KATSEYE member Megan in the group's official TikTok post, felt more like an actual disclaimer than a simple joke. It turns out, it was both.

A prerelease to the band's upcoming album, "Beautiful Chaos," scheduled to drop on June 27, "Gnarly" marks a vast stylistic departure for KATSEYE, the six-piece U.S.-based girl group.

Co-written by hyperpop pioneer Alice Longyu Gao, the track was described by HYBE Labels — who co-manage the group with the American record label Geffen Records — as a "sharp turn" from its previous sound.

In reality, "Gnarly" wasn't just a sharp turn — it was a full-power jolt that hurled K-pop listeners into unfamiliar territory.

Compared to "Touch," the lead single from KATSEYE's 2024 album "SIS (Soft Is Strong)" which embraced soft, girly pop sounds, "Gnarly" offers just over two minutes of complete sonic intensity. The track layers metallic synths, clashing sound effects and bursts of giggles from the girls, all building up to an aggressive, almost chaotic chorus.

Its slang-packed lyrics, with lines like "Hottie hottie, like a bag of Takis," "Obvi', obvi', they be tryna copy," and even a controversial name drop of "Tesla," only add to the auditory chaos.

From left are KATSEYE members Sophia, Megan, Daniela, Lara, Manon and Yoonchae. The group was formed through the survival audition show "The Debut: Dream Academy," a joint project between HYBE Labels and U.S.-based label Geffen Records. Courtesy of HYBE Labels.

The release prompted immediate and divided responses, particularly from international listeners. Initial reactions leaned heavily negative, with many on X (formerly Twitter) calling the lyrics "corny" and "not cool girl energy."

Others expressed disappointment, saying the beat had potential but the song ultimately fell flat. One post even read, "Whoever wrote these lyrics, straight to jail."

Yet, what initially seemed like a misstep gradually found its audience.

Between May 1 and 4, the band performed "Gnarly" on Korean music shows from major local broadcasters like Mnet, KBS and SBS to promote the song.

These performance clips quickly gained traction, showcasing the group's fierce stage presence, precise choreography and expressive delivery, highlighting a performance-driven charisma that K-pop girl groups often strive for but rarely pull off.

Before "Gnarly," KATSEYE blended into the field of Korean girl groups, aside from the fact that five of its members were from overseas. With familiar productions and promotional rollout from HYBE, the group hadn't offered much to differentiate itself to fans used to K-pop's norms.

But "Gnarly" changed that.

KATSEYE members pose onstage during an appearance in a local music show to promote "Gnarly," a prerelease for the group's upcoming album, "Beautiful Chaos." Courtesy of HYBE Labels

As word spread, opinions began to shift. Listeners noted the song had started to "grow on them," with some even drawing comparisons to British singer-songwriter Charli XCX's experimental pop album, "Brat" (2024).

This momentum translated into chart performance.

On Spotify's Daily Top Songs Global chart for May 5, "Gnarly" ranked No. 63, up 11 spots from the day before. The song initially entered the chart at No. 91 on May 2, then rose to No. 74 before climbing again. It also entered the Top Songs chart in 21 regions, including Korea, the U.S., the U.K., Canada and Australia.

Whether praised or criticized, one thing is clear: "Gnarly" has sparked a conversation — and it's keeping KATSEYE in the spotlight ahead of its "Beautiful Chaos" release.

Adding to the anticipation is the list of contributors behind the new work. The album reportedly brings together acclaimed songwriters and producers including Grammy winner Andrew Watt, Justin Tranter, John Ryan and Kristin Carpenter.

Through a HYBE Labels press release, the group has described the album as "the clearest expression of who we are and where we're headed."

If "Gnarly" is any indication, KATSEYE's new album won't just follow the rules of K-pop — it's meant to challenge them.