KATSEYE is looking back at the strong reaction that followed the release of Gnarly, a track that pushed the group into a more experimental direction. In a conversation with Billboard, the members said the early backlash did not make them regret the song or rethink their decision to release it.
Gnarly arrived in April 2025 with a sharper, less conventional sound than some of KATSEYE’s earlier material. The song quickly divided listeners, with criticism spreading online alongside growing interest in the track. Despite that response, the group continued to support the release and remained confident in the creative choice behind it.
Over time, Gnarly gained wider attention and became an important part of KATSEYE’s growing catalog. The experience also appears to have reinforced the group’s willingness to take musical risks rather than focus only on immediate audience approval.
For KATSEYE, the reaction to Gnarly became part of a broader period of growth as the group continues developing its sound and establishing its identity in pop music.