KATSEYE's EP Wild came out on August 14, 2026, and it debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. Ed Sheeran co-wrote 2 of its 6 songs. Here's every track on the EP, the full Ed Sheeran story, and what the chart numbers say.

What Songs Are on KATSEYE's Wild EP?

Wild has 6 tracks:

  1. "Pinky Up" (co-written by Ed Sheeran)
  2. "Animal" (co-written by Ed Sheeran)
  3. "Hootie Frutti"
  4. "Bel Air"
  5. "That Way"
  6. "Unloveu" (bonus track)

"Pinky Up," "Animal," and "Hootie Frutti" all came out as singles before the full EP dropped. The EP is streaming now on all major platforms.

Did Ed Sheeran Write Songs for KATSEYE?

Yes. Ed Sheeran co-wrote 2 songs on Wild: "Pinky Up" and "Animal." On "Animal," he worked with Johnny McDaid from Snow Patrol, producer Omer Fedi, and Blake Slatkin.

The story behind it is simple. Ed heard KATSEYE's song "Gnarly" while he was in Mexico, loved it, and reached out as a fan. He asked if he could write them a song. "Animal" came out of that conversation, and "Pinky Up" followed from the same collaboration.

The "Animal" music video also features Demi Moore as a surprise guest. She plays a fashion advisor in the video's storyline, watching the group's headshots get torn to shreds and helping them start over.

Worth Noting

Ed Sheeran became a KATSEYE fan on his own, after hearing "Gnarly." He wasn't hired to write for them. He asked.

Why "Animal" Sounds Like an Ed Sheeran Song

Once you know Ed Sheeran wrote "Animal," you can hear it. The clearest comparison is his 2021 hit "Shivers."

Both songs are dance-pop: built around a beat you can move to, not just sing along to. Both move fast and hit hard. "Shivers" runs around 141 beats per minute. "Animal" runs around 150. That's a similar speed range, and both keep a big, punchy beat pushing forward from start to finish.

The one real difference is the key. "Shivers" is in a major key, which is why it feels bright and happy throughout. "Animal" is in a minor key, giving it a slightly darker, edgier feel even though it's still very much a dance-pop song.

They're not the same song. But they're the same type of song, built by the same person, using the same tools.

KATSEYE's Most Viral Songs: From "Gnarly" to Wild

If you're new to KATSEYE, here's how their biggest songs connect.

"Gnarly" was their breakout viral hit. It's built on trap beats and hyperpop: loud, weird, and in-your-face on purpose. It went viral on TikTok when other artists picked up the dance, landed on TikTok's Songs of 2025 list, and set KATSEYE's highest Global Spotify chart debut at the time. That's also the song Ed Sheeran heard in Mexico, which started the whole chain of events.

"Animal" is the opposite of "Gnarly." It's glossy, catchy, and radio-friendly dance-pop, written by Ed Sheeran. It debuted at No. 24 on the Billboard Hot 100, a career high at the time, and reached No. 10 on the Billboard Global 200, KATSEYE's first top 10 on that chart.

"Hootie Frutti" became another standout from Wild. KATSEYE performed it on Saturday Night Live alongside "Animal," and it landed in the Top 20 of Spotify's Global chart. (More: How KATSEYE's SNL debut with Jalen Brunson went.)

In about a year, KATSEYE went from a TikTok trap-hyperpop hit to 3 songs charting globally. The sound changed, but the momentum only grew.

Not Everyone Was Sold on "Animal"

When "Animal" dropped in July 2026, not every listener was happy that it sounded so much like an Ed Sheeran song. One user review on Album of the Year joked that it sounds like "an Ed Sheeran reject from 2015-2018," saying it feels dated rather than fresh.

That was a fair reaction to one song in isolation. But "Animal" is 1 of 6 tracks, and it's the only one written by an outside songwriter. The full EP gave harder-edged fans "Hootie Frutti" and softer options in "Bel Air" and "That Way." Most listeners found something to hold onto.

Wild Hit No. 1: By the Numbers

Wild debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 in the week ending August 20. It moved 170,000 equivalent album units in the United States in its first week. That was the biggest first-week debut by a girl group since Danity Kane's Welcome to the Dollhouse in 2008.

Wild is also only the 4th No. 1 by an all-woman group this decade, after TWICE, NewJeans, and BLACKPINK.

On Spotify, KATSEYE crossed 30 million monthly listeners around the time Wild dropped. "Animal" and "Hootie Frutti" both landed in the Top 20 of Spotify's Global chart.

What This Means for KATSEYE

Two years ago, KATSEYE were a new group from a reality competition. Now they have a No. 1 EP, 30 million monthly Spotify listeners, an SNL credit, and their first world tour, The Wildworld Tour, which kicked off September 1, 2026, with 31 sold-out shows across Europe, North America, and Mexico.

The Ed Sheeran songs got them on radio. The hyperpop roots kept them from sounding like everyone else. Wild is the EP where those 2 things came together.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did Ed Sheeran Write "Animal" by KATSEYE?

Yes. Ed Sheeran co-wrote "Animal" with Johnny McDaid, Omer Fedi, and Blake Slatkin. He also co-wrote "Pinky Up," the lead single from Wild. He reached out to KATSEYE after hearing "Gnarly" and asked to write for them.

What Songs Are on KATSEYE's Wild EP?

Wild has 6 tracks: "Pinky Up," "Animal," "Hootie Frutti," "Bel Air," "That Way," and the bonus track "Unloveu." Ed Sheeran co-wrote "Pinky Up" and "Animal."

What Is KATSEYE's Most Viral Song?

"Gnarly" was their TikTok breakout in 2025, the song Ed Sheeran heard that made him want to write for them. On Wild, both "Animal" and "Hootie Frutti" charted globally, with "Animal" reaching No. 10 on the Billboard Global 200.

Is KATSEYE on Tour in 2026?

Yes. The Wildworld Tour, KATSEYE's first world tour, runs from September 1 through November 28, 2026. All 31 shows sold out, including added dates in London, New York, Los Angeles, and Mexico City.

VIBESYNCED Particles That Match KATSEYE

KATSEYE moves between glossy pop and chaotic hyperpop depending on the song. These scenes match that range. Tap one to jump straight into the app with that particle already running.