XXI.

Hootie Frutti isn't brain rot, in my opinion. The song is literally about their puss tasting like fruit, but it's presented in a fun, less obvious way. It's the same kind of cheeky innuendo as "My Humps" by the Black Eyed Peas. Gnarly was literally a song about nothing. Also, I saw Swiftologist saying their music is like "A.I. slop" and that they're not "pushing the status quo forward," but I don't really understand that argument when there's clearly something distinctive about what KATSEYE is doing. You can argue about whether you personally like their music, but it's hard to call it completely derivative when you don't really have any other artists making pop music in this exact style right now. Their songs have a very specific sound, aesthetic, and performance style, and people are actually engaging with it... learning the dances, doing the challenges, and creating their own content around them. I don't think music has to reinvent the wheel to have value. Not every artist needs to be experimental or revolutionary; sometimes the goal is simply to make catchy, entertaining music that people enjoy.

I can't believe this was scrapped. I'm happy we finally have the full studio version. She should recut it and drop it.

I do think Manon recorded for this EP. In the Fallon interview they were talking about how excited they were for the new music and to perform. And if she was rehearsing for Pinky Up there at the very least is a version of that song with her on it.

I don't think Manon filmed the PINKY UP music video, but she did rehearse for it, and I do think she recorded the majority of the EP. So it's likely there are versions of these songs with her vocals that we just haven't heard.

Honestly, I think a lot of the conversation around KATSEYE being overly sexualized comes from the fact that we know how talented they are, but they're rarely given the opportunity to show any real depth or range. Going back to the earlier Britney example, the same album that gave us Slave 4 U also had Overprotected and I'm Not a Girl, Not Yet a Woman. There was a sense of dimension to her as an artist. With KATSEYE, so much of the pushed music is lyrically nonsensical, and on top of that, they're constantly being presented through sexualized choreography and imagery. Even the Pussycat Dolls, who were obviously a very sexualized group, had vulnerable songs like Stickwitu and I Hate This Part as singles. I think those two things compound the issue for KATSEYE. People want more from them because they know they're capable of more. It's not that people don't want them to be sexy it's that they want to see the full range of what these girls can actually do.

Honestly, I don't get these threads. Every artist cares if their album is commercially successful...no matter what they say to save face. If they didn't want success, they wouldn't invest time, resources, and money into releasing the music in the first place. Plus, petal has been successful.

Honestly, low key you kind of changed my mind. This is fair. Maybe it's just because Britney was really able to make me believe it, and it didn't feel so forced. But you're right.

I think the ultimate goal for KATSEYE has always been to get them out in the market and performing as consistently as possible, and that strategy has clearly worked for them. They've built a strong audience and kept themselves culturally relevant without needing a full-length album. In the streaming era, albums simply aren't as essential as they used to be. For a group like KATSEYE, EPs and singles are a much more efficient way to keep the machine moving: they're quicker and cheaper to produce, give the label more opportunities to test what resonates, and allow them to capitalize on momentum without committing to a larger body of work. At the end of the day, KATSEYE is also a product being developed in real time. The goal isn't necessarily to give us an album as quickly as possible; it's to figure out what works, build the brand, grow the audience, and keep the girls visible. An EP can accomplish that much more efficiently than an album.

I love the song. The video is… a lot lol. The close-up of Daniela's ass, them spanking one another, the single drop of water dripping into Megan's mouth, and some of the other scenes felt a little unnecessary. I think the video should've had a better balance of sexy and camp. The song is already essentially about their privates tasting like fruit, so they could've had more fun with it than just leaning into that warehouse summer rave concept. The song paired with the video feels like overkill. I'd also say Daniela is really the only one who can sell the sexy moments effortlessly, but as a group, I think they focus on her a little too much. I like her, but since Gnarly she's always center and gets the most camera time, and this song was no exception. Ironically, I think Yoonchae continues to be the real star here. There's just something about her in these songs and videos that continues to stand out to me. I think she could have a really successful solo career after this. She has that cute and funny personality, but she can also turn on the more "sexy" side when she needs to.

Song is a smash. But that album artwork is terrible. The alt cover is so much better.

I kind of hope they haven't started working on the album yet, because if they're starting recording... what about Sophia... and I know she's likely not coming back but Manon.

They outro on Hootie Fruti is the best part

At 16, 17, 18 years old, you don't really have a grasp of the real world...let alone what the entertainment industry will be like. These girls were chasing a dream, but they couldn't possibly have understood everything they were signing up for. One of the most heartbreaking moments in Pop Star Academy is when Adela's mom asks, "Then why did they keep you for so long?" If they already knew they weren't going to choose you, why make you believe you had a real shot and keep you so far from home for two years where you're missing birthdays, holidays, etc.? And that's what makes KATSEYE's situation so uncomfortable to watch. These girls can sometimes feel less like artists with agency and more like a product being managed by HYBE and the label. We obviously don't know what's happening behind the scenes, but the repeated injuries, illnesses, absences from concerts and press, and now two members being on hiatus simultaneously raise real questions. Something about the situation just doesn't feel right...

I think, to some degree, all of these girls are probably unhappy. KATSEYE was a dream sold to them when they were kids, and the reality is they likely didn't fully understand what they were signing up for. They have very little control over their music, clothes, creative direction, or schedule. They're essentially being molded into a brand rather than being given space to develop as individuals. Even vocally, their voices are blended together so heavily that the group sounds like one person rather than five or six distinct artists. And with the lineup constantly shrinking, members repeatedly absent for being "sick" or "not feeling well," plus two currently on hiatus, it's hard not to notice that lack of individuality being intentional. I just think these girls are realizing there's a difference between getting the dream you were promised and realizing what that dream actually costs you.

This discourse always seemed so silly to me. Where did these rumors start? Did she like MAGA ideology on Instagram or something? She's a non-American, heavily sexualized pop star with a massive gay following. The idea that conservatives would be championing her or she herself would be conservative always seemed pretty baseless...these aren't exactly the people lining up to embrace songs about getting laid in a sports car.

No, it is not.

It's very cunty.

Yes and no. The album would've been better without the interludes and random Drake song.

I don't have insights into any of what this person is saying, but I don't think what they are posting is entirely true. Tours are a massive production that take a lot of planning. If the tour starts September 1st. I would think that video content for the show was being filmed and produced in June or July, so I do think Sophia will be featured in it. They could've even shot a lot of it when they were shooting the EP creative. I would also imagine whatever visuals and music video is dropping on the day of EP release will also feature Sophia. I think Sophia's hiatus will impact the upcoming physical commitments.

It's probably closer to the top version, but not the exact same. Hootie Frootie is my favorite. If they are really doing VS this song gives runway.

These threads where people in the comments are taking jabs at the girls are insane to me. If you watch Pop Star Academy... which is already heavily edited... you can clearly see how poorly these girls were treated. Nikki, a grown woman, literally called a 17-year-old (Megan) boring right to her face, not to mention the grueling practices, injuries, and the way they were constantly pitted against one another from the very beginning. Every single person who has participated in Pop Star Academy has yet to say a single positive thing about it (including the current members). Just look at ADELA's discography, and now MARQUISE. The intensity, pressure, and demands have only increased for these girls. They are grinding them to the bone.

Can you link me I havent heard the demo

I don't think it's just about the fine. It's also a marketing tactic. People are tuning in to see the drama, what are the girls saying about the situation, are they all still friends, did she get kicked out, will she'll reappear, etc. To some degree it's advantageous to them and their brand to be ambiguous and keep people guessing because it keeps people interested and engaged. I miss Manon though. She deserves better than to be a marketing tactic.

The Hootie Frootie "demo" isn't real by the way lol.

Out of curiosity (I doubt we'll be getting a third single), but if we were which song would you all want to get a music video?