Gnarly - Katseye | My Analysis

“They could describe everything with one single word” This opening lyric describes the premise of the whole song, Gnarly is a word that’s definition can be used in positive and negative ways, and they show this theme throughout the song. 

“Boba tea (Gnarly)

Tesla (Gnarly)

Fried chicken (Gnarly)”

This part especially brought controversy as they mention Tesla as Gnarly, Tesla is currently known under fire for numbers of reasons dealing with Elon Musk but that’s another story. 

With using context in the song though it seems as if they used it purposefully, as shade to the brand. 

The song was originally made by artist Alice Longyu Gao who is known for her experimental and hyperpop sound with queer themes, with that context going into the song it makes sense for the brand to be named this way, as it has multiple writers and it’s been years to think over it, it seems very intentional. 

The lyric “You’re gnarly

I’m not (Shit is gnarly)” also shows the word being used in multiple ways, hinting at this as well.

The group is very kpop centered in their promotions and styling despite being a diverse global group, the members are very outspoken, sleek and Lara Raj is openly apart of the LGBTQ+ community, these things are more represented in this song compared to their previous releases that were more kpop styled, with the repetitive lyrics in touch, my way, debut and the choreography was very kpop focused. However this shift in the group aligns them with their more western side and goes for the camp route, while also being more outspoken with the language being used. it’s seems adjacent to artists like Charli XCX and Sophie who’s one of the hyper-pop genres most iconic pioneer.    

The lyrics aren’t meant to be taken seriously, they use brand names ironically like comparing themself to a “bag of taki’s” and openly bragging, “Making beats for a boring dumb bitch, Jealous of my mansion?
Yeah the view is (Gnarly)”. The song seems like social commentary on societal standards and the music industry, they mock the usage of brand names and the cockiness used in music while also playing the part of the idol using brand deals and getting on the runway. With knowing the original artist Alice Longyu Gao the song makes more sense in this context.

She typically makes music in the ironic context to comment on society, such as in her song Rich Bitch Juice, “Have some juice, honey rich bitch juice You've been sad, lately need to let loose”, in the song she comments on forced happiness in a capitalist society, she talks about being tired and not wanting to hear the comments of always being happy and then the song goes back into saying have some Rich Bitch juice, playing into the themes of Camp.

With hyper-pop becoming more mainstream recently with the BRAT album, and wanting Katseye to break into the western market more, it makes sense for them to go this direction with the comeback. 

That being said, music is subjective and not everyone is gonna like everything, it’s very apparent with the backlash the group received for this release, however they still have much time to grow as artists and thrive regardless. The song grew on me for sure when pairing it with the choreography, so i will be listening and excited for the release of their EP.