KATSEYE embraces confidence, attraction and the freedom to let loose on “Animal,” a bold pop single from the global girl group’s third EP, WILD. Released July 24, 2026, the song arrived with a cinematic music video, a famous Hollywood cameo and another strong streaming debut for one of pop music’s fastest-rising groups.
“Animal” explores the difference between the polished version of ourselves we show the world and the less restrained personality that can emerge when nobody is watching. It is playful, flirtatious and built for a group whose music increasingly mixes global pop ambition with choreography and striking visuals.
The track also comes with a major name attached to it.
Ed Sheeran Helped Write “Animal”
Ed Sheeran is one of the co-writers of “Animal.”
The collaboration may surprise listeners who associate Sheeran primarily with acoustic pop and singer-songwriter material. However, his songwriting catalog has long extended beyond his own recordings.
For “Animal,” Sheeran contributed to a song designed around KATSEYE’s identity rather than his own.
Production came from Omer Fedi and Blake Slatkin, whose credits include work with artists such as Justin Bieber, The Kid LAROI, Sam Smith and Lil Nas X.
The result is polished mainstream pop with enough personality to suit KATSEYE.
The verses build the tension between restraint and impulse. Then the song opens up into a hook centered on giving in to that wilder side.
It is an idea that fits perfectly with the title of the group’s new EP.
“Animal” Is Part of KATSEYE’s WILD Era
“Animal” appears on KATSEYE’s third EP, WILD, released August 14 through HYBE x Geffen Records.
The project follows 2025’s BEAUTIFUL CHAOS, which helped push KATSEYE into a much larger international spotlight.
That earlier project included “Gnarly” and “Gabriela.” BEAUTIFUL CHAOS debuted inside the Top 5 of the Billboard 200, establishing the group as more than an online phenomenon.
The WILD era began taking shape earlier in 2026.
KATSEYE introduced “PINKY UP” before following it with “Animal.” The new material presents the group with a more confident and less restrained image.
That makes “Animal” one of the clearest expressions of what this era is about.
“Animal” Delivered KATSEYE’s Biggest Spotify Debut
Listeners responded quickly.
Universal Music Japan reported that “Animal” debuted at No. 4 on Spotify’s Daily Top Songs USA chart on July 24. That was KATSEYE’s highest debut on the ranking at the time, surpassing the No. 6 debut of “Internet Girl” and No. 10 debut of “PINKY UP.”
The song also debuted at No. 9 on Spotify’s Daily Top Songs Global chart.
Its reach extended well beyond the United States. “Animal” debuted at No. 7 in Canada and No. 15 in the United Kingdom while appearing on Spotify charts across 47 countries and territories.
Those numbers demonstrate how quickly KATSEYE has developed an international audience.
The group was designed from the beginning to operate globally, and songs such as “Animal” show that strategy turning into measurable streaming success.
Demi Moore Appears in the “Animal” Video
The official music video makes the song even more memorable.
Directed by Cody Critcheloe, the visual places KATSEYE inside a surreal environment filled with observation rooms, mirrors and changing identities.
The video explores many of the same ideas as the song. The members shift between different personas while the line between the person being watched and the person doing the watching begins to disappear.
Then comes the surprise.
Demi Moore appears in the video.
The Academy Award-nominated actress plays an observer who ultimately encourages the group to unleash its wild side. Her appearance helps push the video from a standard pop visual into something closer to a short film.
The video received major exposure immediately. Universal Music says it premiered across MTV Live and MTVU and appeared on Paramount’s Times Square billboards.
The official video is also featured prominently on KATSEYE’s official website.
KATSEYE Brings “Animal” Into the Classroom
The group has also found an unusual way to promote the song.
Four members of KATSEYE recently appeared on the YouTube series Celebrity Substitute, visiting third graders at P.S. 17 in Queens, New York.
Instead of simply performing for the students, KATSEYE taught them choreography for “Animal.”
The children eventually joined the group in a student-led music video that transformed their school cafeteria into the setting for the performance.
The episode emphasized confidence, individuality and teamwork, giving the song’s theme a much more family-friendly interpretation.
KATSEYE Is Taking WILD on Tour
The new music arrives as KATSEYE prepares for another major career milestone.
The WILD WORLD Tour is scheduled to begin September 1. Reuters reports that the tour follows the release of WILD and the group’s new concert film, KATSEYE: WILD HEARTS.
Demand has been strong.
Universal Music reported that tickets for the arena tour sold out within 48 hours. Additional shows were added in London, New York, Los Angeles and Mexico City, and those dates also sold out.
That is a significant step for a group formed only a few years ago.
KATSEYE emerged from The Debut: Dream Academy, the competition that created the six-member lineup from a massive international pool of candidates. The group combines the intensive performance model associated with K-pop with a sound aimed directly at the global pop market.
“Animal” Shows KATSEYE Getting Bigger
KATSEYE’s rise has happened quickly, but “Animal” suggests the group is not slowing down.
The song has several ingredients built for a major pop moment.
Ed Sheeran contributes to the songwriting. Omer Fedi and Blake Slatkin handle the production. Demi Moore provides the music video’s surprise appearance. KATSEYE supplies the choreography, personality and vocals.
Most importantly, the song fits the group.
“Animal” is about the tension between behaving exactly as expected and allowing another side of yourself to emerge.
For KATSEYE, that message arrives at the right time.
The group has moved beyond introducing itself.
Now it is getting WILD.
Follow “Animal” on the CLE Radio Pop 100
See how KATSEYE’s “Animal” and today’s biggest pop songs are performing on the CLE Radio Pop 100.
Add comment