KATSEYE’s “Gnarly” Is a Bold, Chaotic Satire — and It Just Might Be Brilliant
by Abhilasha Bhattarai | May 9th, 2025
Photo Credit: Rahul Bhatt
KATSEYE’s latest single, “Gnarly,” isn’t just another entry in the oversaturated world of pop music — it’s a sledgehammer to the genre’s formulaic walls. Polarizing, jarring, and arguably unhinged, “Gnarly” feels less like a single and more like a social experiment wrapped in bass-heavy chaos. And it kind of works.
From the first seconds of its harsh, almost jump-scare opening, “Gnarly” announces that this isn’t the KATSEYE you thought you knew. The group, which previously leaned into the soft, polished aesthetic of the New Jeans-led wave of 2023–24, has swerved into entirely new territory. Gone is the safe, bubbly sound; in its place is a snarling, sarcastic sonic beast that refuses to be ignored.
On first listen, “Gnarly” might seem chaotic and lackluster, mixing industrial synths and riffs reminiscent of video games like Mortal Kombat, with the mix of AI-generated science and some coarse lyrics. However, that is the song's target, parodying the current Kpop industry, where aesthetics and vitality often come before artistry. By cramming exaggerated buzzwords and awkward flexes like “Tesla” and “gang gang” into the mix, KATSEYE seems to mock the strategies used to chase algorithmic fame.
The title “Gnarly” carries a fascinating duality, reflecting a word that can signify both awe-inspiring and downright dreadful, depending on the context. This clever wordplay captures the mixed feelings listeners might have when they hear the song. It brings out both admiration and discomfort, showing the complex emotions that the music explores. The song recognizes this mix of feelings and understands the different reactions it can cause. The track has two versions: the official "Gnarly" and a cleaner "Clean Edit" for broadcasts. The original version includes strong language that fits the satirical tone but might turn off some listeners. Interestingly, the clean version may improve the track—changing “I’m the shit” to “I’m legit” makes the lyrics easier to relate to while still keeping the original message.
Despite all its unruliness, the song’s structure is surprisingly tight. Clocking in at just around two minutes, “Gnarly” doesn’t overstay its welcome — and that’s crucial. It’s an earworm by design, intended for repeat plays. It’s not supposed to be a deep, emotional ballad or a traditionally enjoyable pop song. It’s a critique, a commentary, and a conversation starter.
Is it perfect? No. The lyrics could have pushed boundaries with more wit, and certain moments feel more trollish than thoughtful. But as a cultural statement wrapped in experimental pop? It’s unexpectedly effective.
“Gnarly” isn’t for everyone, and that’s precisely why it matters.
