When you’re competing for attention alongside some of the biggest names in pop music, you have to stand out. Your sound must be rooted in something that’s unique but not too experimental, and your look has to keep them coming back for more. Today’s rising pop princesses and K-Pop superstars have mastered the madness behind this method.
After years of watching the meteoric rise of K-Pop, HYBE and Geffen Records decided to try something new. In 2023, KATSEYE was formed. The six-member girl group, formed on the reality show Dream Academy, is composed of Daniela, Lara, Manon, Megan, Sophia, and Yoonchae. With members from South Korea, Switzerland, the Philippines, and more, they’re considered a “global girl group.”
KATSEYE’s aptly-titled debut single, “Debut,” was a snappy, fast-paced track that showed off their attitude. “Touch” was a viral smash, racking up over 300 million Spotify streams. Their first EP was a relatively safe introduction to the group and their potential. This time around, they’re embracing the chaos.
Their long-awaited second EP, Beautiful Chaos, shows off an entirely different side of KATSEYE. Here’s how each track ranks against one another, listed in order from worst to best.
5
Mean Girls
Track 4 – 3:36
The EP’s fourth track is described as an homage to the girls’ time on Dream Academy and the backlash each of them received once audiences began to take in each episode from the comfort of their own couches. Several of them were often referred to as “mean girls,” but this song takes the high road towards such insubstantial negativity.
Throughout each chorus, they list different stereotypes and descriptions of girls, equally wishing them all the best. Even the mean girls get a shout-out. Rather than speaking ill about them or leaving them out entirely, KATSEYE recognizes the mean girls for what they are: girls just like them who are dealing with some kind of insecurity or hardship.
God bless the sweet girls
God bless the dream girls
God bless the queen girls that turn the other cheek girls
God bless the free girls
And, yes, God bless even the mean girls
This song uplifts the mean girls, but also kills them and anyone leaning into hatred with kindness. Overall, it’s a great sentiment that embraces girlhood in all its forms, but, beyond the meaning, it falls flat.
4
Gnarly
Track 1 – 2:17
When I first heard “Gnarly,” I was confused. The dynamic girl group, who previously released two fairly tame songs and an EP filled with easily digestible lyrics, had done a complete 180 into experimental pop music with questionable lyrics and explosive choreography. On the one hand, I stand by my initial reaction. I still dislike the lyrics and the lack of actual vocals.
On the other hand, I can’t help but applaud this pre-release single for the brilliant marketing strategy that it was. If you hadn’t previously heard of KATSEYE, you and everyone around you have most likely heard “Gnarly” and seen the performance videos by now. The group’s facial expressions alone are enough to earn this song a spot on your most listened-to playlists.
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All that being said, it still isn’t my cup of tea. It’s catchy, and the lyrics get stuck in my head for weeks after one listen, but I need a little more if I’m going to listen regularly. I also find it interesting that the clean edit, which was the version they performed, is the one on the EP.
3
Gameboy
Track 3 – 3:05
“Gameboy” is the lead single off of the EP, making it KATSEYE’s latest music video release as well. Compared to their pre-release videos, it’s not nearly as detailed, but it’s an irresistible depiction of the song’s fun choreography and each member’s charisma. The song itself features gorgeous vocals throughout each chorus and catchy lyrics, both of which are a KATSEYE staple.
The girls are ready to level up from those who want to play games with their hearts, something that ties into the song’s title seamlessly from start to finish. It’s pretty repetitive overall, but the chorus is too enjoyable to even think of that as a bad thing.
“Gameboy” doesn’t immediately stand out amid such a diverse collection of music, but I can see this track rising in my ranking as time goes on. It holds a lot of potential to become another hit for the group and one of my personal favorites down the line.
2
Gabriela
Track 2 – 3:17
After the release of “Gnarly,” no one knew what was next for KATSEYE. Little did anyone know that their next venture was a track reminiscent of “Jolene” by Dolly Parton that utilized the telenovela format in its music video.
Featuring Daniela singing in Spanish and a chorus that urges the fictional Gabriela to keep her hands off their fella, “Gabriela” is a perfect palate cleanser for those of us who worried that “Gnarly” was going to alter the group’s sound permanently. If anything, this track just proved that KATSEYE is capable of much more than anyone assumed.
This track was the last thing anyone expected after their first single.
They continue to honor each member’s culture in ways that feel refreshing and genuine, making their identity as a global girl group feel incredibly deserved. This track was the last thing anyone expected after their first single, but I believe that if it’d been released in reverse order, “Gabriela” wouldn’t have had the same effect that “Gnarly” did on their popularity.
1
M.I.A
Track 5 – 2:09
As the shortest track on the five-track EP, “M.I.A” manages to pack the biggest punch. The echoing chant in the introduction fades into a pounding beat overlayed with hypnotizing vocals and a chorus that feels destined for performances in front of massive crowds. To me, this sounds more like it was influenced and written by Charli XCX than “Gabriela.”
The lyrics don’t shy away from warning those interested in them that they aren’t here for long. The pre-chorus in particular feels incredibly iconic for its honesty, especially the line “No, you won’t put a leash on a b****,” which took me by surprise so much that I had to immediately start the song from the beginning.
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KATSEYE’s journey to releasing their second EP is one that not many people can relate to. They’ve already seen such major highs, broken barriers by celebrating their diverse cultures and embracing their sexualities, and presented an image of a girl group who isn’t afraid of testing the boundaries of what listeners expect from them.
As their career continues, I’m looking forward to seeing which sounds they’ll try next and which stages they’ll bring to life. Amid such unprecedented success for K-Pop, it’s refreshing to see a group that looks and acts like them, living their lives as talented young women to the very fullest.
Without placing too much unnecessary pressure on the girls, they have the potential to become one of the biggest girl groups in the world. As long as they continue down the path they’ve already begun to blaze, I see major success and even more global recognition in KATSEYE‘s future.
