The group KATSEYE's second EP BEAUTIFUL CHAOS track "Gnarly (Nally)" was ranked fifth among the 50 best songs of 2025 selected by British music magazine NME.
The list released on the 1st (local time) by NME is lined with songs by global artists who have captivated both the public and critics, including PinkPantheress, Rosalia, and Lady Gaga. "Gnarly" was highly praised as a bold challenge by KATSEYE and ranked in the top tier.
NME said KATSEYE seemed on the path to girl group superstardom when they debuted in 2024 with a soft, lovable concept song ("Touch"). But with "Gnarly," they wiped away all that cuteness at once and revealed an unrestrained attitude and an edge so sharp it polarized tastes.
"Gnarly" is a song that blends dance and punk elements into the hyper-pop genre. Global hitmakers Pink Slip, Tim Randolph, "hitman" bang, and Slow Rabbit joined forces to create a bold and experimental sound that caused a sensation when the track was released.
At first some reactions found KATSEYE's radical transformation unfamiliar, but their overwhelming performances on Korean music shows spread by word of mouth and drove explosive popularity. The six members (Daniella, Lara, Manon, Megan, Sophia, Yunchae) received particularly strong responses for their vivid facial acting, powerful twerking, and confident stage manner.
"Gnarly" reached a peak of No. 52 on the U.K. Official Singles Top 100 (May 9) and No. 90 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 (June 21). Even six months after the song's release, it continues to be loved worldwide, reentering major global song charts and the Billboard Hot 100 along with another hit, "Gabriela (Gabriela)."
KATSEYE debuted in the U.S. last June after going through HYBE America's systematic T&D (training and development) system. They are nominated in two categories at the 68th Grammy Awards to be held on Feb. 1 next year: Best New Artist and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance.
[Photo] Provided by HYBE x Geffen Records.
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