KATSEYE release their third EP, Wild

KATSEYE have released their third EP, Wild, NME reported in a review published August 14. The outlet says that despite the group's biggest year yet, marked by their first Grammy nominations and a sold-out tour on the horizon, the EP still leaves it unclear where their sound is heading.

KATSEYE are a global girl group launched by HYBE and Geffen, built from members drawn from multiple countries. The group has also weathered strain this year: member Manon has been on hiatus since February, and leader Sophia Laforteza announced last week that she, too, is taking a break to focus on her mental health.

NME says the EP swings between two poles. At its most experimental, "Hootie Fruitti" mixes Brazilian phonk and hyperpop, the five members purring over lines about "$20 smoothies in LA" with occasional Portuguese lyrics, a track the review calls fun and infectious. "Pinky Up," released as an April single, tries similar ground with less impact, which NME says is actually its downfall.

At the safer end, "Animal," co-written by Ed Sheeran, falls back on pretty but bland retro-pop, while "That Way" fares better with a slinking groove built around setting boundaries with a partner. "Bel Air" closes the EP as a lightweight, pleasant ballad about knowing a relationship won't work out and finding the strength to move on.

Wild is out now via HYBE x Geffen, and is projected for a Number One Billboard debut. NME says the group's eventual full album will need to find the sweet spot between chart-friendly and boundary-pushing that this EP does not fully settle. The release is tracked on the release calendar as part of this week's new pop music.