Wasia Project
Heartstopper actor Will Gao and younger sister Olivia Hardy craft an exploration of what it means to grow up with a British-West Asian heritage and a strong classical background.
Wasia Project, via Spotify
This dynamic sibling duo continually captivates, proving time and again that their talents extend far beyond acting, with their musical prowess never failing to impress. Wasia Project’s new EP Isotope is a meticulously crafted body of work that explores the challenges of growing up, the inevitable passage of time, and the discovery of new, uncharted emotions that accompany young adulthood.
The EP is both infectious and melancholic, demonstrating the duo's keen ear for jazz and classical influences while seamlessly embracing their youthful energy, infusing each track with vibrant indie-pop elements. A sense of longing and introspection permeates the entire project. The opening track, 'Is This What Love Is?', offers a tempestuous exploration of love’s bittersweet, confusing, and overwhelming nature, underscored by the sadness and fear that often accompany emotions larger than ourselves.
In addition to the EP, Wasia Project has also released a short film, Isotope, which visually complements the themes explored in their music. The use of simple, yet vivid and intimate imagery captures the universal experiences of growth, confusion, and vulnerability. It serves as an extension of the EP and gives listeners another way to connect with their story.
Tracks like the tender ballad 'Take Me Back Home', the explosive pop anthem 'Somebody Come Through' and the slow, minimalistic piano outro in 'Tell Me Lies (fin)' exemplify the duo’s multifaceted identity, blending the deeply personal with themes that resonate universally.
Wasia Project creates a blissful space where they can explore loneliness, disorientation, abandonment and nostalgia - without feeling confined. Instead, they find comfort in the unknown, recognizing that even in moments of pain, there is always a time to cry and a time to dance. Their versatility in traversing musical genres is matched by their ability to navigate a wide range of emotions with youthful rawness. Yet, their maturity reflects a wisdom beyond their years, evident in both their storytelling and musical artistry.
Isotope portrays a coming-of-age narrative, rich with reflections and questions that may never find answers. If music is their way of making sense of the complexities of the modern world, we can only look forward to more high-quality projects from the siblings duo in the future.
