KATSEYE, the global girl group launched by HYBE x Geffen, are in an interesting spot. This year has been their biggest yet, with their first Grammy nominations, landmark live performances and a sold-out tour on the horizon. But between the achievements, there’s also been strife – member Manon has been on a much-talked-about hiatus since February, while leader Sophia announced last week she was also taking a break to focus on her mental health.

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‘Wild’, the group’s third EP, is similarly conflicted. At this point, it should be a release that solidifies KATSEYE’s sound and direction ahead of an eventual album – an indicator of who this group are and what they’re saying. Instead, it feels remarkably uncertain, as if it’s wary of going too far one way, so hedges its bets instead and plays things safe.

At times, KATSEYE push into experimental dance-pop, following 2025 track ‘Gnarly’’s lead with extremely online references and brain-shaking electronic beats. ‘Pinky Up’, released as a single in April, is less obnoxious than ‘Gnarly’, but curiously that feels like its downfall, lacking anything interesting or impactful. “I love you, you love me / We batshit, oui, oui”, Sophia declares over deep bass, but there’s nothing in the song that feels particularly bold. ‘Hootie Fruitti’ makes a stronger impression, the five members purring over a Brazilian phonk and hyperpop hybrid about “$20 smoothies in LA” and “mochi drenched in chocolata”. It’s clearly designed to expand KATSEYE’s global culture canon with occasional Portuguese lyrics, but most importantly, it’s a fun, infectious piece of pop.

At other times, though, it feels like the EP overcorrects for venturing into territory that might be divisive by driving back into sounds that are incredibly safe. Recent single ‘Animal’, co-written by the king of safe pop Ed Sheeran, falls back on retro-pop that’s pretty but bland. ‘That Way’ fares marginally better, KATSEYE using a slinking groove as the foundation to take control with a partner and set boundaries that reflect their worth (“If you wanna dance, you better get your hands, and put them in the right spot”). ‘Bel Air’, meanwhile, is a pleasant if lightweight ballad, propelled by a buzzing bassline and gently marching drum beat as the members reflect on being stuck on a relationship that you know won’t work out and finding the strength to move on – not the most memorable of tracks, but a nice enough detour while it lasts.

By the end of it all, though, where KATSEYE go next is no clearer. You’d hope by the time their eventual debut album comes around, they’ll have found the sweet spot between chart-friendly and boundary-pushing without compromising on quality or edge. Only time will tell, though, if they can get there.

Details

• Record label: HYBE x Geffen
• Release date: August 14, 2026