Wasia Project presents a matured sound with ‘Nocturne’
Written by Emily Gibbs
Credit: Nocturne by Wasia Project, album cover
Wasia Project is indie pop’s most interesting group at the moment. Sibling duo Olivia Hardy and Will Gao have slowly been building their platform since the release of their first single in 2019. Their two EPs, how can i pretend? and Isotope, demonstrated the siblings’ strengths as both vocalists and classically trained musicians. Wasia Project’s debut album, Nocturne, represents a maturation of their sound, as they move from soft acoustics to developed production.
The album opens with ‘2515’. The release of this single signified the exciting direction the album would take. The repetitive beat is reminiscent of a heartbeat, with Hardy’s soft-spoken vocals racing to keep up. ‘2515’ features a dramatic chorus, utilising drums in such a way not explored yet by the duo. The sound builds, before dropping as Hardy sings “down, down, down”.
‘Vogue’ immediately hooks you. It has a playful electronic beat that presents a departure from Wasia Project’s usual acoustic or classical style. The bassy beat perfectly complements Hardy’s almost whispered lyrics. The track combines these new experimental sounds with classical violin to create something entirely unique.
Wasia Project usually features Hardy on vocals, but sometimes Gao takes the lead like in the song ‘Even If I Tried’. The use of synth is notable as it warps the feeling of the track, making it feel almost haunting. By the end of the song, electric guitar and drums collide in an almost uncomfortable way through an extended instrumental. This reflects the mood of the lyrics, with the eerie line “my conscience is alive”.
‘Sunken Quay’ opens in a familiar way to longtime Wasia Project listeners. Hardy’s angelic vocals are backed by a simple piano melody. The song crescendos with loud violin and drums in the final chorus, before stripping back to a quiet moment as the song ends.
Gorgeous instrumentals are a key feature of Wasia Project, serving to showcase Hardy and Gao’s classical training. Like the previous Isotope EP, Nocturne features a track that is purely instrumental, titled ‘Moon Goddess’. It opens with soft piano, which is later overlayed with strings and choral vocals that echo the main melody. It is a beautiful piece.
Overall, Nocturne is an incredibly strong album. It combines beautiful vocals with a mix of classical and electronic melodies through sophisticated production. It is clear that Wasia Project has blossomed, and it will be exciting to see where they go next.