Soloist Yves has begun the roll-out of her fifth EP, titled Cute & Anxiety, with the simultaneous release of two new singles “Hysteric” and “Adam.”

Cute & Anxiety was first announced on October 2. While no concept images have been shared, the artist unveiled four different physical editions of the album on social media. In doing so, she revealed a strong red colour theme and the leading images of four concepts, which see Yves peering through windows and holes in an abandoned, isolated space.

On October 26, her agency Paix Per Mil announced that two pre-release singles would come out the following day: “Hysteric,” and “Adam.” Immediately, the release of two tracks simultaneously draws attention, but as promotions for the songs commence, descriptions from Yves reveal a narratorial intention.

In a video for Warner Music Korea, she pairs the two together: “If “Hysteric” expresses anxiety as it unfolds, “Adam” captures the lingering traces left behind after that anxiety has passed.” Both link to the title of her upcoming mini album, Cute & Anxiety, which will be released on November 20, 2026.

“Hysteric” is a dark, hypnotic track that relies on electronic sounds, vocal distortion, and four-on-the-floor rhythms, while lyrics “I guess I’m just an afterthought” and “I’m losing control” detail a failing relationship and a fear of being labelled obsessed and hysteric. Its music video, released with the two singles on October 27, visually emphasises that focus on anxious hysteria and the loss of control. It sees Yves demonstrating a strong acting ability as she presents an evil, twisted version of herself – a personified representation of anxiety and its impact – fighting and controlling her original self.

“Adam,” its pair, consists of a falling but lighter instrumental that builds as the song progresses, layered with vocals of a higher pitch. Presenting the aftermath of “Hysteria,” it explores memory and expresses a longing to be part of someone’s life again – whether that is the life of the lover depicted in the lyrics of “Hysteria,” or the past self that no longer aligns with the present.

Since debuting as a soloist, Yves has always been a candid artist. Of her popular third mini album Soft Error, for example, “Ex Machina” speaks of love, fear and longing, and “White cat” explores loneliness and isolation, most of which is self-inflicted. Even her viral collaborations with PinkPantheress, “Soap (feat. PinkPantheress)” and “Stars (with Yves)”, were born from Yves’ open admiration of the hyper-pop artist. “Hysteria” and “Adam” indicate that this vulnerability and authenticity will continue on Cute & Anxiety, furthering Yves’ identity as an artist exploring various emotions through the electronic genre. This time, she ties stories of interpersonal relationships with the internal relationship to the self.

Cute & Anxiety will feature a further three songs, titled “Too Much (feat. AKRIILA),” "Polaroid," and “Bat.” “Hysteria” and “Adam” are available on streaming services from today.

Fans can also order Yves’ exclusive KPOPWORLD printed cover issue here.