Nocturne

Wasia Project, aka sibling duo Olivia Hardy and William Gao, have carved out a distinctive lane for their cinematic indie-pop sound since their launch in 2019. Debut album Nocturne builds on the foundations laid over previous releases—2022’s how can i pretend? EP and the 2024 follow-up, Isotope—crystallising in an atmospheric and emotive full-length project. Striking an easy balance between the thrumming dance beats that anchor tracks like “Vogue” and “Bleeding Gold” and the sweeping melodrama that characterises the back half of the record (tied together cohesively by Hardy’s ethereal vocal), Nocturne finds the pair alchemising their coming-of-age experiences into polished catharsis. Produced alongside frequent collaborator St Francis Hotel, the record is a striking showcase of how far they have come creatively, while still leaving room to grow. Our Favourite Song: From suspenseful synth and elegant piano chords to atmospheric strings and momentous drum rolls, “Strike Me Down from Heaven” sports all the hallmarks of an excellent Bond theme.