Critic Rating: 7/10
Global girl group KATSEYE released their 2nd mini album, Beautiful Chaos, on June 27th, 2025. The album contains two of their viral pre-release singles and three new tracks. After their 2024 debut with the songs “Debut” and “Touch,” the group’s popularity skyrocketed, and fans eagerly awaited their return in 2025.
“Gnarly” 4.5/10
“Gnarly” is the first track and pre-release single of this album. Originally released on April 30th, the song gained massive attention while sparking controversy among fans. Some praised the unique lyrics and instrumental, while others found it not up to par. Personally, the song was like an on-off switch for me-initially off-putting, then growing on me, and eventually becoming less appealing again.. While it has an addictive dance and a very well-composed instrumental, the lyrics felt more like random snippets and phrases put together rather than a complete song. Although I understand the play on words, in which they use every connotation of the word “gnarly,” the execution fell short. It is my least favorite song of the album.
“Gabriela” 8/10
The second track and pre-release single, released on June 20th, takes an opposite approach from “Gnarly” in terms of sound. This slower track incorporates R&B and Latin pop within its instrumental, using acoustic guitars and showcasing more sultry vocals. I enjoyed the bridge where one of the members sings in Spanish, as it enhanced the mood and emotion of the song. However, this song felt more like style over substance, with it being based more around their music video than the lyrical content.
“Gameboy” 7.5/10
This catchy third track delivers a much more playful and bubbly sound, similar to their hit song, “Touch.” The instrumental sounds very fun, with references to video game sound effects. The repetition of the ending phrases and “boy” did, unfortunately, make it more difficult to listen to over and over. For the most part, though, “Gameboy” was a nice addition to the album, adding a more cutesy and uplifting vibe.
“Mean Girls” 8.5/10
This song stands out within the album, tackling more sentimental themes, as “Mean Girls” talks about facing judgment, emotions, and empowerment. It sends the message of rising above those who treat you badly and forgiving them instead of stooping down to their level. The instrumental’s use of laid-back drums and synth pads gives it a much slower and calmer feeling, and the sentimental lyrics and vocals truly tie the song together.
“M.I.A” 8/10
“M.I.A” is the final track and has a much darker mood compared to the previous four songs. It has more electronic, club music vibes with the use of throbbing beats, EDM synths, vocal pitch, and autotune effects. This song gives a cinematic feeling, like a high-stakes chase in an action movie, with some lyrics like: “No, you won’t put a leash on a -/You want more, but you get what I give.” The fierceness of the song and its confident energy made it worthwhile.
Beautiful Chaos truly lived up to its name, presenting a diverse array of genres with different stories and feelings. While the lack of cohesion was evident, it reflected the “chaos” part of the title, and each song had its own “beauty.” This album has something for everyone to listen to, even if only one track fits your taste. Overall, Beautiful Chaos was a decent album, and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to listen to KATSEYE’s music. This album has displayed their musical diversity, and I’m looking forward to what KATSEYE has to offer in the future.
