KATSEYE has secured a major milestone on the international stage.

The UK magazine NME unveiled its annual "50 Best Songs of 2025", and KATSEYE ranked No. 5 with "Gnarly," a track from their second EP BEAUTIFUL CHAOS.

A Bold Reinvention That Captivated Critics

NME recalled that KATSEYE debuted last year with the soft and charming hit "Touch," signaling a classic rise to girl-group stardom. But with "Gnarly," the group flipped their image entirely.

NME praised the transformation, noting how the members shed their cute concept in an instant and embraced a fierce, razor-sharp attitude. The song blends hyper-pop with dance and punk elements, produced by hitmakers Pink Slip, Tim Randolph, and Bang Si-hyuk.

From Mixed Reactions to Global Breakthrough

Though "Gnarly" initially divided listeners, the response shifted dramatically after the group's performance stages — with their powerful twerking choreography becoming a viral highlight.

The track swept major charts as well:

• UK Official Singles Top 100: No. 52 (May 9 chart)
• US Billboard Hot 100: No. 90 (June 21 chart)

Six months after release, the song continues to gain momentum, recently re-entering key global song charts including a return to the Hot 100.

A Group with Global Origins and Global Recognition

KATSEYE, formed through the survival audition project The Debut: Dream Academy, made their debut in the US last June. Their rapid rise continues — they are nominated for two categories at next year's 68th Grammy Awards:
Best New Artist and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance.