KATSEYE's 'Gnarly' Ranks 5th on NME's '50 Best Songs of 2025', Praised for Bold Transformation

Global girl group KATSEYE has earned a spot in the prestigious NME's 'The 50 Best Songs of 2025' list, with their track 'Gnarly' securing an impressive 5th place.

The renowned British music magazine, in its year-end roundup announced on December 1st (local time), highlighted 'Gnarly' among top-tier songs, recognizing KATSEYE's audacious musical direction.

The list features global superstars like PinkPantheress, Rosalia, and Lady Gaga, making KATSEYE's achievement even more notable.

NME lauded the group's evolution, stating, "While KATSEYE seemed poised for girl group superstardom with the soft and lovely concept of their debut track ('Touch') in 2024, they have completely shed that cuteness with 'Gnarly.' They've revealed an unyielding attitude and a sharp edge that is bound to be polarizing."

'Gnarly,' a fusion of hyper-pop with dance and punk elements, was crafted through a collaboration of global hitmakers including producers Pink Slip, Tim Randolph, Bang Si-hyuk ("hitman" bang), and Slow Rabbit, resulting in a daring and experimental sound.

Although initial reactions to KATSEYE's drastic image change were mixed, their overwhelming performances on Korean music shows gained traction through word-of-mouth, driving explosive popularity.

The captivating facial expressions, powerful twerking, and confident stage presence of the six members – Daniela, Lara, Manon, Megan, Sophia, and YunChae – particularly resonated with audiences.

Since its release, 'Gnarly' has charted globally, reaching number 52 on the UK's Official Singles Chart and number 90 on the US Billboard Hot 100. Even six months after its release, the song, along with another hit 'Gabriela,' continues to receive love, reappearing on major global charts and the Billboard Hot 100.

Developed under HYBE AMERICA's systematic T&D (Training & Development) system and debuting in the US in June of last year, KATSEYE is also nominated for two categories at the upcoming 68th Annual Grammy Awards on February 1st: 'Best New Artist' and 'Best Pop Duo/Group Performance,' further solidifying their status as a K-pop girl group.

Korean netizens have reacted enthusiastically, with comments like: "As expected from KATSEYE, recognized globally!" and "The 'Gnarly' performance was so addictive, it's great NME noticed it too." Many are also expressing anticipation for their future success, especially with the Grammy nominations.