Wasia Project Champion Their Rich Cinematic Universe With ‘Isotope’

Since the release of their stunning debut EP in 2022, jazz and indie pop duo Wasia Project has been on a road that only takes them up. ‘How can I pretend?’ catapulted the band into the mainstream, and the band has been on the rise in subsequent years. At the beginning of the year, the band embarked on a headline UK tour that saw them selling out iconic venues such as London’s Heaven. 

In their latest endeavour, ‘Isotope’, Olivia Hardy and Will Gao reach new heights and delve deeper into the vibrant, familiar world established by the siblings in their debut.

The brother and sister duo has come a long way since their makeshift concerts in the living room of their South London home - and 'Isotope’ is undoubtedly the work of people who have been chipping away at their craft for some time. With a short film to accompany the release of their sophomore EP, the band showcases that the narrative of the 'Isotope’ transcends the music and signals the beginning of a rich cinematic universe. 

Speaking of the EP’s catchy title, Will Gao told DORK: “Isotopes are basically atoms that have the same nucleus but a different number of protons – they’re linked but are still their own thing – and I just thought that fitted for the band. We’re different people but bound by the same voice.”

The EP’s opening track, ‘Is This What Love Is?’ is an atmospheric offering that sees Wasia Project dive headfirst back into their orchestral roots. The duo are known for their effortless blending of genres, namely jazz with elements of indie pop, and this cohesive, dynamic track is elevated by ethereal production choices that put their abilities on full display. 

Sonorous ballad ‘Take Me Back Home’, sees Hardy singing of finding warmth and comfort in a partner, reminding fans of earlier efforts such as ‘My Vine’. With numerous fans likening the duo’s music to “a warm blanket in winter” in a slew of YouTube comments, it is clear that the band has championed a refreshing sound that makes them instantly recognisable, chronicling a maturity far beyond their years. 

Following seamlessly on from jazz cafe-style, title-track interlude ‘Isotope’, the upbeat and electronic-inspired ‘Somebody Come Through’ is one for the big stages. The cyclical nature of the song furthers the feelings of helplessness evoked in the song’s lyrics, with Olivia’s evocative post-chorus delving into the heart of the track’s meaning, “Here we go again / Back in the same places / Why? Oh, why do I still feel / Like nothing ever changes?”.

Six-minute crushing ballad ‘To Get Better’ sees Will Gao taking the mic and singing somberly of dissociation and the feeling of losing one’s self. Gao and Hardy’s silky smooth voices complement each other in a way that feels singular, elevating the concept of Isotope as one fluid character shared by the siblings. This track hides the duo’s influences they were exposed to from a young age, namely Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald, in plain sight. 

The choice of a second interlude, titled ‘...’ is an interesting one - but it is difficult to imagine the body of work without it. Evoking a sensation of finality, the instrumental track pairs perfectly with the EP’s closer. ‘Tell Me Lies (fin)’ concludes Isotope with the cinematic, dramatic flair that the duo has been building up to throughout the whole EP. The closing track is bold and beautiful, hallmarked by deep and resolute piano chords, and it’s not hard to imagine curtains falling with the song’s end. The duo seem to take a figurative bow and exit the stage, leaving listeners reeling from what they have just experienced. 

Hallmarked by sweeping soundscapes, soulful lyricism, and a concept that sees Will Gao and Olivia Hardy bound by their artistic boldness - ‘Isotope’ is a stellar body of work that further cements Wasia Project as ones to watch.

‘Isotope’, the sophomore EP from breakout band Wasia Project, is out now on all major streaming platforms. 

Lina Adams

@creativelicensepodcast

Image: Rashidi Noah