Photo Credit: Claryn Chong
"'Nocturne' is a striking progression for the band."
— Rolling Stone UK
September 18th, 2026 - Philippines — Wasia Project, the musical duo formed by siblings Will Gao and Olivia Hardy, has unveiled their highly anticipated debut album 'Nocturne', out now via AWAL Recordings. Charting a new hinterland for the duo, the album turns coming-of-age angst into catharsis, unfolding as a kinetic journey steeped in the lore of the night, moving between the heady introspection of twilight hours and the euphoric embrace of the dance floor where bodies commune and coexist. Fans can listen to the album HERE.
The 12-track finale arrives following a run of singles that have progressively revealed the distinctive sonic world of 'Nocturne': Lead single "2515" introduced the record's undulating electronic pulse and cinematic scale, followed by "Bleeding Gold" and "Whale Call", the latter featuring in Netflix's new feature film 'Heartstopper Forever', in which Will Gao reprises his role as Tao Xu. "Vogue", the album's final single, arrived as a euphoric body-talk anthem, becoming the duo's third consecutive album single to earn Jack Saunders' Hottest Record accolade on BBC Radio 1. "Vogue" was subsequently reimagined by acclaimed German DJ, producer and Running Back label founder Gerd Janson, who took the track's kinetic energy deep into the club.
Wasia Project – "Bleeding Gold" (Official Video)
Earlier this week, the duo shared the official video for "Bleeding Gold", the second entry from 'Nocturne'. Co-directed by Wasia Project and Harvey Frost, the video for visualises the song's themes of nostalgia and self-reflection. Starring Olivia and Will alongside a younger version of Olivia, the video moves between past and present, exploring the enduring connection we have to our younger selves. Tender and dreamlike, it serves as a poignant companion to the track's meditation on youth, memory and growing up.
The album's other tracks further explore the breadth of Wasia Project's new sonic world. "Strike Me Down From Heaven" pushes their neo-classical and electronic instincts into more experimental territory, while "Even If I Tried" draws on modern soul minimalism and trip-hop. "Moon Goddess" is a melancholic electro-acoustic nocturne inspired by the Chinese legend of the moon goddess. "Wildfire", the album's closer and focus track, brings its recurring themes of growing pains, crowded rooms and lovelorn melancholia to an explosive finale. ""Wildfire" is the cathartic end to 'Nocturne' and perhaps the emotional crux of the record. A massive, anthemic song about feeling estranged from someone you love deeply, the isolation that comes with that, and a desperate yearning to reach out and connect again," the duo says of the track.
"Our debut album 'Nocturne' is a collection of songs that take us on a journey through the night. A space and time where feelings and emotions play in a world of extremes. From the electric connection of a nightclub, to the isolation of a sleepless night, we present a piece of work that serves as a sanctuary for those moments in our lives, hoping to bridge the borders between ourselves and each other."
— Wasia Project
'Nocturne' is the voice of youth in flux, both immediate and reflective. It captures the residual haze of the post-COVID years, examining distance, isolation and fractured connection within a disillusioned generation suspended between physical and digital worlds. In response, the duo embrace a darker, grittier and more nocturnal sonic palette, stepping away from the lightness of their earlier work in favour of something more textured, immersive and emotionally charged. Across 12 tracks, they transmute their classical foundations through the lens of club-adjacent dance music, cinematic piano-pop balladry, modern soul and atmospheric electronica, arriving at a sound that is at once deeply intimate and expansively cinematic.
Formed in 2019, Wasia Project's mixed British-Chinese heritage and classical background drive a global approach to pop that cuts across musical traditions and hemispheres. Their reach has expanded rapidly, amassing over 200M streams across their catalogue and peaking at 2.4M monthly Spotify listeners.
The duo's 2022 debut EP 'how can I pretend?' featured their breakout hit "ur so pretty", and was followed by a series of dewy-eyed standalone singles such as live-favourite "Petals on the Moon". They gestured at a cooler sonic palette on transitional EP 'Isotope', released in 2024 and accompanied by a beautiful short film. Their 2024 UK headline tour sold out within minutes, while their debut US run saw them support two-time GRAMMY Award winner Laufey across 13 dates. That same year, they also supported BRITs Critics' Choice Award winner Tom Odell across 18 European dates. The duo has also made notable festival appearances at All Points East and Lollapalooza Germany. Most recently, they made their Radio 1 Big Weekend debut and played a run of sold-out intimate piano shows across Asia and Australia, including the Philippines and Hong Kong, with extra dates added due to popular demand. Widely championed by leading publications including Vogue, The Guardian, NPR, GQ, DIY, and Rolling Stone, Wasia Project have also graced the covers of NME, BRICKS, Dork, and Notion.
With 'Nocturne', Wasia Project continues to dissolve the boundaries between genres and emotional states, crafting music that feels both deeply personal and collectively resonant. The album marks the beginning of a new creative chapter for the duo, where the interplay of stillness and euphoria, solitude and unity, defines their sonic landscape. 'Nocturne' is more than just an album, it's a journey through the complexities of youth, identity, and the ever-shifting space between the digital and the real.
'Nocturne' Tracklisting:
1. 2515
2. Vogue
3. Whale Call
4. Bleeding Gold
5. Voices in My Head
6. Even If I Tried
7. Sunken Quay
8. Strike Me Down From Heaven
9. Moon Goddess
10. Stay
11. Nightingale
12. Wildfire
Stream 'Nocturne' here
Watch the "Bleeding Gold" video here
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