KATSEYE - WILD EP (2026) Hi-Res

It's impossible to talk about Katseye's music without taking into account the nonstop, incredibly loud chatter around the six—or is it five? or four?—women who make up the "global girl group." Less than a week before the release of the outfit's third EP, Wild, singer Sophia Laforteza announced she would be taking a hiatus from Katseye to focus on her mental health and wellness. Member Manon Bannerman had already been MIA for five months for the same reason. It may speak to the speed at which the group, which has followed the rigorous K-Pop "survival" training model, is trying to milk success before the fickle internet gets distracted (or to relentless fan scrutiny online).

Katseye's success is such a phenomenon that they have no trouble enlisting prime-grade pop collaborators. Self-proclaimed "fan" Ed Sheeran and Snow Patrol's Johnny McDaid co-wrote "Animal," along with producers Omer Fedi and Blake Slatkin; between them, the latter two have credits with au courant artists like Rosé, Tate McRae, Malcolm Todd and Adéla who, like Katseye, came out of the reality competition show Dream Academy. "Animal" is Sheeran-quality catchy, retro pop-noir with a rhythmic acoustic guitar breakdown. When Lara Raj slides in for the pre-chorus, the slinky track—surely destined to soundtrack a future Bad Guys animated movie—pops to life. Ditto Daniela Avanzini's soulful "I'll be gone by morning" moan at the top of the second-verse. It's a song that will appeal more to fans of Katseye's 2025 Latin-flavored hit "Gabriela," as will flirty "That Way." But if you're here for the mania of songs like delightfully bonkers "Gnarly" or the insidious earworm "Internet Girl," have no fear. Katseye knows they have to feed multiple TikTok moods.

"PINKY UP"—with a top-shelf songwriting credit for Justin Tranter (Katy Perry, Chappell Roan)—goes hard on the hyperpop beats and EDM vibes, layering bottomless bass, velvety vocals and a screaming sample of Da Hool's 30-year-old "Meet Her at the Love Parade." "Hootie Frutti," meanwhile, takes the rave to Bollywood. Swarmed by a buzzing roar and set to a jaunty circus gallop, "Bel Air" is pure Eurovision pop … written by, among others, one Charlotte Emma Aitchison—aka Charli XCX—and cut from her Sucker album. You can easily find her leaked demo on the web, and it's striking how much fresher that 2014 version sounds than Katseye's mega-meal deal. So who is Katseye, and will they have staying power? Right now, it's hard to say. But here's hoping they catch their breath and come back with innovative surprises.