What inspired the term 'Gnarly' in KATSEYE’s song?

According to KATSEYE, 'Gnarly' symbolizes anything—excellent or dreadful. It’s deliberately vague, empowering individual interpretations and celebrating uniqueness.

Who produced 'Gnarly'?

'Gnarly' was produced by Slow Rabbit, Pink Slip, Tim Randolph, and Bang Si-Hyuk ('hitman' Bang), combining their skills for a bold hyperpop sound.

What was the creative process behind the song?

Lara mentioned they experimented extensively with different characters and attitudes.

Was 'Gnarly' initially teased by another artist?

Yes, originally teased by The Chainsmokers and Alice Longyu Gao on TikTok in 2023.

What musical influences shape 'Gnarly'?

'Gnarly' combines hyperpop, trap, and electropop.

Gnarly Lyrics by KATSEYE. A spicy mix of satire, symbolism, and pop commentary! ⭐

They could describe everything with one single word

You know?
Like,

Boba tea (Gnarly)
Tesla (Gnarly)
Fried chicken (Gnarly)
Partyin’ in the Hollywood Hills

This song (Gnarly)
Oh my god that new beat (Fucking gnarly)
Oh my god is this real? (Everything’s gnarly)

Oh, we’re in a session tonight gang gang
Oh, we’re going out tonight gang gang
Oh my god this song is so lit, congratulations

Now you be like gang
Gang gang gang gang gang

(Gnarly)
(Gnarly)
Everything’s (gnarly)

Na-na-na-na-na-gnarly
Na-na-na-na-na-gnarly
Na-na-na-na-na-gnarly
(Everything’s gnarly)

Hottie hottie
Like a bag of Taki’s
I’m the shit
I’m the shit

Obvi obvi
They be tryna copy
I’m the shit
I’m the shit

Na-na-na-na-na-gnarly
Na-na-na-na-na-gnarly
I’m the shit
I’m the shit

(Gnarly)

Making beats for a boring dumb bitch
Fucking gnarly (Gnarly)
Don’t talk to me
You’re gnarly
I’m not (Shit is gnarly)

Jealous of my mansion?
Yeah the view is

(Gnarly)
(Gnarly)
Everything’s (gnarly)

Na-na-na-na-na-gnarly
Na-na-na-na-na-gnarly
Na-na-na-na-na-gnarly
(Everything’s gnarly)

Hottie hottie
Like a bag of Taki’s
I’m the shit
I’m the shit

Obvi obvi
They be tryna copy
I’m the shit
I’m the shit

Na-na-na-na-na-gnarly
Na-na-na-na-na-gnarly
I’m the shit
I’m the shit

(Everything’s gnarly)

Meaning & Overview

Gnarly Lyrics video by KATSEYE from album BEAUTIFUL CHAOS — KATSEYE delivering energetic vibes performing 'Gnarly' lyrics in their music video.

Song Credits

Producers: Slow Rabbit, Pink Slip, Tim Randolph, “hitman” Bang
Writers: Alice Longyu Gao, Madison Love, Jacob Kasher, Tim Randolph, Pink Slip
Album: BEAUTIFUL CHAOS
Genre: Hyperpop, Trap, Pop Rap, Electropop
Released: 2025-04-30
Label: HYBE, Geffen Records
Vocalists: Lara, Sophia, Yoonchae, Megan, Daniela, Manon (KATSEYE)
Language: English

Song Meaning and Annotations

KATSEYE performing song Gnarly from BEAUTIFUL CHAOS — KATSEYE bringing attitude and style in their performance of 'Gnarly.'

Dissecting the Multiverse of Meaning in KATSEYE’s “Gnarly”

KATSEYE’s song “Gnarly” wastes no time laying down its premise: everything—literally everything—they mention is “gnarly.” Now here’s where things get spicy: “gnarly” doesn’t just mean one thing. Depending on the context, it can be amazing and cool, or it can be downright disgusting and awful. That contradiction is the point, and it’s not just a vibe—it’s a philosophy. From hobbies to food to whole personalities, everything in this track is filtered through this singular yet multifaceted word.

The Power of One Word

In an interview, Lara pointed out that there are “good gnarlies and bad gnarlies”, and that listeners should make their own interpretations. That’s the crux of the whole thing. Don’t just agree because everyone else is nodding—use your own head. The song's structure reinforces this with references to polarizing things that people either love or loathe, showing how one chaotic word—gnarly—can umbrella it all.

Boba Tea: A Tale of Two Gnarlies

Alice Longyu Gao, who’s behind the writing of “Gnarly,” took a moment to unpack boba tea on her social platforms. For her, boba was a “bad gnarly”—full of empty calories that caused her to gain weight. But here’s the twist: she called the act of chewing those tapioca pearls “cunty” in a fun, empowered way—a “good gnarly.” It’s a snack with an identity crisis, much like everything else in this song. Her final message? Moderation. It’s not about cutting things out completely; it’s about knowing your limits. That lesson slaps as a subtle dig at over-consumption and our tendency to turn everything into a commodity.

“Gang” Is the New “Gnarly”

When the second verse drops, “gang” takes the reins, and it’s no accident. Just like “gnarly,” “gang” can be good or bad. A group of friends? Cool. A group of criminals? Not so much. This clever word swap shows how language can be stripped down and repeated until it becomes a hypnotic chant, all over a banging beat. It also feels like a wink at how pop lyrics often get labeled as shallow—KATSEYE’s in on the joke, and they’re serving satire with a smile.

The Printer Scene: Mechanical Identity

Daniela’s section slows the song to a crawl, mimicking the grind of a printer. In the video, she puts her head on a printer that spits out her image—talk about robotic metaphors. This eerie, hypnotic moment hints at the idea that being in a pop group can feel mechanical, like you’re being stamped out of a factory line. The surreal energy ramps up as other members interact with the printer in oddball ways—licking, kissing, sitting—painting the idol life as both manufactured and intimate. It’s weird. It’s gnarly. It works.

Calling Out the Critics

“Don’t talk to me”—a sharp jab wrapped in pop gloss. Lara doesn’t mince words. The line is a digital eye roll at people who criticize her or the group’s music. The haters? They’re “bad gnarly.” Her music? That’s the “good gnarly.” It's a lyrical shoulder shrug that says, “Your opinion? Don’t need it.” The song turns dismissiveness into an art form, and in doing so, flips critique on its head.

Real Estate Flexes and the Art of Being Cool

Yoonchae casually drops a mansion flex: “Are you jealous of my mansion? Yeah, the view is fucking gnarly.” The tone’s crystal clear—she’s talking about the good kind of gnarly. Nobody calls a mansion view ugly, right? The word plays double duty again, showing how something grand can carry its own confident glow. It’s braggadocio with a punchline.

Takis and the Spice of Self-Love

Takis—the fiery, flavor-blasted rolled chips out of Mexico—aren’t just snacks here. They’re symbols. First launched in 1999 and later exploding in the U.S. in 2001, Takis have a cult following thanks to their bold colors and flaming hot punch. In this song, they’re used to describe Manon’s heat—yes, that kind of heat. It’s a metaphor that blends pop culture and snack culture, capturing the group’s confident, spicy attitude. Manon is gnarly—in the best way.

Ultimately, “Gnarly” is less a song and more of a statement. It’s a glittery, chaotic, self-aware piece that pokes at pop music’s excesses while celebrating them. Whether gnarly means gross or great is up to you—but one thing’s for sure, KATSEYE knows exactly what they’re doing.

With their track "Gnarly," KATSEYE serves up a deliciously unpredictable cocktail of confidence and cheeky bravado. This number isn't your regular pop anthem—it's more like a neon-lit ride through a futuristic funfair. Everything, literally everything, gets labeled "Gnarly," from simple pleasures like "Boba tea" to extravagant scenes such as "partyin' in the Hollywood Hills." It’s intentionally brash, a tad irreverent, and utterly unapologetic. Take the chorus, which gleefully proclaims:

"Hottie, hottie, like a bag of Takis, I'm the shit, I'm the shit (Gnarly)"

Comparing themselves to spicy chips, they cheekily claim their irresistible yet spicy appeal. This playful metaphor underscores the song’s fearless and humorous spirit. Verse 3 cranks up the sass:

"Don't talk to me, you're gnarly, I'm not"

The ambiguity of "gnarly" gets spotlighted here—cool or uncool? Amazing or dreadful? It's a lyrical wink that invites interpretation. Alice Longyu Gao’s songwriting injects boldness into the production—this is hyperpop with industrial synths and trap influences. It’s dissonant, flamboyant, and deliberately chaotic—much like the modern digital culture it mirrors.

Similar Songs

Thumbnail from Gnarly lyric video by KATSEYE — A vibrant screenshot from the 'Gnarly' music video.

"STUPID" – Ashnikko feat. Yung Baby Tate
Like "Gnarly," Ashnikko’s "STUPID" thrives on rebellious confidence, playful insults, and chaotic pop-trap production. Both songs twist hip-hop braggadocio into a colorful, edgy empowerment anthem. They revel in hyperpop’s chaotic flair and tongue-in-cheek humor, making them close cousins in the digital pop revolution.
"XS" – Rina Sawayama
"XS" and "Gnarly" share a taste for exaggerated satire and unapologetic sass. Sawayama’s song critiques consumerism while dancing in luxury, much like KATSEYE’s playful exaggeration of material and cultural icons. Each track uses irony wrapped in vibrant pop hooks, flipping pop-culture clichés upside-down.
"Vroom Vroom" – Charli XCX
Charli XCX’s futuristic hyperpop hit and KATSEYE's "Gnarly" share high-energy beats and quirky, assertive vocal delivery. Both radiate confident chaos, celebrating extravagance and freedom from societal norms. These are songs that feel like fast rides—noisy, exhilarating, and joyously rebellious.

Questions and Answers

Scene from Gnarly track by KATSEYE — A striking visual effect scene from 'Gnarly'.

What inspired the term "Gnarly" in KATSEYE’s song?: According to KATSEYE, "Gnarly" symbolizes anything, excellent or dreadful. It’s deliberately vague, empowering individual interpretations and celebrating uniqueness.
Who produced "Gnarly"?: "Gnarly" was produced by Slow Rabbit, Pink Slip, Tim Randolph, and Bang Si-Hyuk ("hitman" Bang), combining their skills for a bold hyperpop sound.
What was the creative process behind the song?: Lara mentioned they experimented extensively with different characters and attitudes. Manon highlighted their playful session, even singing parts with British accents to find the right vibe.
Was "Gnarly" initially teased by another artist?: Yes, originally teased by The Chainsmokers and Alice Longyu Gao on TikTok in 2023, it resurfaced later as KATSEYE’s single.
What musical influences shape "Gnarly"?: "Gnarly" combines elements of hyperpop, trap, and electropop, fusing industrial textures and playful vocal performances typical of modern digital music scenes.