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Will Gao and Olivia Hardy’s genre-blurring alt-pop project enters a darker, emotionally charged chapter with its first full-length record
Alt-pop duo Wasia Project returns with new single Bleeding Gold, a reflective track that explores the fleeting nature of youth while setting the tone for its upcoming debut album Nocturne, due for release on Sept 18.
A wistful look at growing up
Bleeding Gold captures the emotional push and pull of growing up, blending nostalgia with the uncertainty of moving forward. Built from fragments of an earlier idea, the track evolves into a layered, dreamlike composition that pairs Olivia Hardy’s airy vocals with shimmering guitar lines and expansive hooks.
Set against a neon-lit sonic backdrop, the song balances an upbeat rhythm with introspective lyricism, reflecting the beauty and disorientation that comes with change. It follows the duo’s earlier single 2515, which hinted at a darker, more confrontational direction in their sound.
A cinematic debut takes shape
With Nocturne, siblings Will Gao and Olivia Hardy step into a more textured and immersive musical landscape. The 12-track album transforms coming-of-age emotions into a cathartic journey, moving between quiet introspection and euphoric, dancefloor-driven moments.
Drawing from the duo’s classical training, it blends piano-led balladry with modern soul, electronic elements and club-inspired sounds. The result is a sonic palette that feels both intimate and expansive, capturing the complexities of youth in a post-pandemic world shaped by distance and digital connection.
A rising global presence
Since forming in 2019, Wasia Project has steadily built an international following, amassing over 200 million streams and reaching millions of monthly listeners on streaming platforms. Its music has resonated strongly across global markets, including Southeast Asia.
Their breakout track Ur So Pretty gained wider recognition after being featured in the Netflix series Heartstopper, in which Gao also stars. The duo has since expanded its catalogue with releases such as Petals on the Moon and the Isotope EP, alongside a growing presence on international stages.
Having sold out UK headline shows and toured with artistes such as Laufey and Tom Odell, Wasia Project continues to build momentum as one of alt-pop’s most promising acts.
A new chapter unfolds
With Nocturne, Wasia Project signals a shift toward a more nocturnal and emotionally layered sound. The album explores identity, connection and the blurred boundaries between physical and digital realities, offering a deeply personal yet universally relatable listening experience.
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