Wasia Project announced debut album Nocturne and released “Bleeding Gold,” an emotional alt-pop anthem about youth, change, and loss.
Wasia Project, the alt-pop duo made up of siblings Will Gao and Olivia Hardy, has released their new single “Bleeding Gold.” The track arrives alongside the announcement of their debut album, Nocturne, which will drop on September 18 through AWAL Recordings. Fans can now stream the single and pre-save the upcoming record.
“Bleeding Gold” serves as the second preview of Nocturne. Through the track, Wasia Project reflects on youth, change, and the fleeting relationships that shape growing up. The duo first started writing parts of the song years ago before reshaping it into its final form.
As a result, the single blends spontaneous moments with carefully arranged production. Olivia Hardy’s airy vocals float over shimmering guitars and soaring melodies, creating a sound that feels both melancholic and uplifting. Furthermore, the song captures the emotional confusion that often comes with moving forward in life.
The single follows “2515,” which introduced a darker direction for the duo. Previously, i-D described the project as “moving toward something darker and a little more confrontational.” With Nocturne, Wasia Project continues that artistic evolution.
Wasia Project shares:
“Bleeding Gold” is a song about nostalgia, returning to your roots, and understanding that though you can’t go back to your younger self, your past will always be part of you and travel with you as you go forth.
The 12-track album explores themes of youth, isolation, and emotional transformation. Moreover, it moves between quiet introspection and euphoric dancefloor energy. Across the record, the duo examines the lingering effects of the post-pandemic years, particularly the disconnect many young people feel while balancing physical and digital lives.
To support these themes, Wasia Project embraces a richer and more nocturnal sound. The duo moves away from the softer atmosphere of their earlier music and leans into darker textures and immersive production. In addition, they combine their classical training with elements of dance music, cinematic piano-pop, soul, and atmospheric electronica. This fusion creates a sound that feels intimate while still carrying a grand cinematic scale.
Formed in 2019, Wasia Project draws inspiration from their mixed British-Chinese heritage and classical backgrounds. Since then, the duo has gained a rapidly growing international audience. Their catalog has surpassed 200 million streams, while their Spotify monthly listeners once peaked at 2.4 million. Furthermore, the Philippines and Indonesia have become two of their strongest streaming markets worldwide.
Their breakout single “ur so pretty” gained major attention after appearing twice in the Netflix series Heartstopper, where Will Gao stars as Tao Xu. The song later became part of their 2022 debut EP, how can I pretend?. Since then, the duo has continued expanding their sound through singles like “Petals on the Moon” and the 2024 EP Isotope, which also included an accompanying short film.
With Nocturne, Wasia Project pushes deeper into themes of identity, connection, and emotional uncertainty. At the same time, the album balances solitude with moments of release and togetherness. The project marks a bold new creative era for the duo as they continue blurring the boundaries between genres, moods, and lived experiences.
Don’t miss Wasia Project’s new single “Bleeding Gold” and get ready for their debut album Nocturne this September.
