New Single “Gabriela” Sets the Stage for KATSEYE’s Genre-Bending EP
- Hope Morgan
- Jun 30
- 2 min read
Updated: Jul 29
By: Hope Morgan
Rising pop group KATSEYE have released a catchy new single “Gabriela” prior to their EP
released on June 27.
“Gabriela” follows “Gnarly,” KATSEYE’s first single from the upcoming EP, that went viral on TikTok for its unusual and chaotic sound. The hyper-pop lead single has a completely different sound to “Gabriela,” which is more of an R&B pop mix.
The song features a heavy Latin twist, featuring Spanish guitar throughout the track, and a swaying rhythm. It also includes KATSEYE’s first ever Spanish verse, delivered by the group’s Daniela, a first-generation Latina American.
Dubbed a “Gen-Z Jolene”, the lyrics tell a story of Gabriela who could have any man she wants, as the girls beg her to “back off of my fella”. The style of the song really allows the girls ethereal vocals to shine, something not as prominent in “Gnarly,” with its heavily produced hyper-pop sound.
Driven by an addictive beat and a hook-heavy chorus, I guarantee “Gabriela” will be stuck in your head all day, and added to all your playlists.
The single comes with an official music video in the style of a telenovela, an extremely popular style of soap opera in Latin America, starring Jessica Alba who plays a CEO searching for a successor of Gabriela Enterprises. The members of KATSEYE spend the remainder of the video fighting for the top spot and of course, nailing the intricate K-Pop style choreography the group is known for.
“Our music video for ‘Gabriela’ is vibrant, colorful, dramatic, and full of heart,” explains KATSEYE. “We leaned into the world of telenovelas because they’re iconic and over-the-top in the best possible way – from the acting to hair and wardrobe. We tried to honor that spirit while having fun with the concept. It’s all love, all homage, and definitely all drama!"
Described as a “global girl group” KATSEYE was formed within the high standards of the K-Pop system but is made up of six girls from different cultural backgrounds. Daniela (Cuban/Venezuelan-American, from Atlanta, GA), Lara (Indian, from New York, NY), Manon (Ghanaian-Italian, from Zurich, Switzerland), Megan (Chinese-American, from Honolulu, HI), Sophia (Manila, Philippines), and Yoonchae (Seoul, South Korea) all competed on the 2023 reality show Dream Academy to be a part of the group.
According to the group, BEAUTIFUL CHAOS “explores the complexities of modern girlhood and the ways the real and digital worlds often blur.”
The dramatic sonic shift from “Gnarly” to “Gabriela” is definitely a beautiful chaos, and makes me very curious and genuinely excited to hear the rest of the EP.
There’s no doubt KATSEYE is carving out a unique lane in the pop landscape, and all eyes (and ears).
