Beautiful Chaos is the second extended play (EP) by girl group Katseye. It was released on June 27, 2025, by Hybe UMG and Geffen Records. The EP's hyperpop lead single, "Gnarly", became the group's first entry on the "Billboard" Hot 100. A second single, the Latin-inspired "Gabriela", was released one week ahead of the EP's worldwide release date.
Background and release.
After their formation in 2023, Katseye released their first original music in August 2024 with the EP "SIS (Soft Is Strong)". The EP garnered moderate success, entering the US "Billboard" 200 and receiving favorable reviews from critics. In March 2025, Katseye were added to the lineups of Lollapalooza's and Wango Tango's 2025 festivals, before they had announced any new music to be released.
On April 30, Katseye released "Gnarly", as the lead single for a then-unannounced upcoming EP and their first musical release since "SIS (Soft Is Strong)". "Beautiful Chaos" was announced on May 8, slated for release on June 27. The five-song track list was revealed on May 28. On June 20, Katseye released "Gabriela" as the second single off the EP. A highlight medley was released on June 23, revealing snippets and the production credits of the unreleased songs.
The full EP was released on June 27 along the music video for a third single, "Gameboy". The EP is opened with "Gnarly", a hyperpop song crafted from a demo created by Alice Longyu Gao. It is followed by "Gabriela", a Latin pop song with a bridge sung in Spanish. "Gameboy" is a "saccharine" dance-pop song reminiscent of the group's 2024 single "Touch". "Mean Girls" is an emotional, melodic song, based on contemporary R&B. The members describe the album's closer, "M.I.A.", as a "banger", and is a combination of electronic and dance-pop. Following the EP's release, "Cosmopolitan" praised the band for "spreading queer joy" with the "Mean Girls" lyric "God bless the T girls and all the in-between girls".
Critical reception.
In a review for "Pitchfork", Joshua Minsoo Kim described "Beautiful Chaos" as "ordinary" and "disappointing". Kim noted "Gnarly" as the EP's standout moment, saying that it "provides a glimpse into what Katseye could do to live up to their promise".
Personnel.
Credits adapted from Tidal.