LOS ANGELES, CA- The story began, fittingly enough, with another enchantress of sophisticated pop, Laufey. While preparing to review her concert at the Hollywood Bowl, I stumbled across the Wasia Project. As I combed through Laufey’s past setlists, looking to immerse myself in the world she’d crafted, I noticed Wasia Project had shared her tour bill on several dates. Though absent from her Hollywood Bowl lineup, their name intrigued me. Their music seemed a kindred spirit to Laufey’s—a blend of heartfelt songwriting and musical depth that has been the backbone of this year’s mature pop renaissance.
My curiosity led me to Spotify, and I queued up their track “ur so pretty.” The moment it began, I was entranced. There’s an ethereal quality to its melody, a beguiling simplicity that cradles you while the lyrics reach out, exposing a raw, universal vulnerability. It was all I needed to dive headfirst into their story.
The Wasia Project is fronted by siblings Will Gao and Olivia Hardy, two young musicians whose rise has felt almost organic in nature, driven by genuine talent and a sound that resonates deeply with today’s audiences. Originally emerging from London’s rich artistic landscape, the pair forged their sound on a fusion of jazz, pop, and indie sensibilities. They quickly amassed a following online, their songs gaining traction for their emotional clarity and sonic maturity. Now, they’re headlining sold-out shows at venues like The Fonda, where the line that snaked around the block was proof that they had struck a chord with an audience yearning for something earnest and fresh.
As the lights dimmed and the crowd settled, Nick Leng emerged at the piano, his presence subdued yet captivating. Born in South Africa and raised in Los Angeles, Leng brings a unique blend of cultural influences to his sound, weaving threads of nostalgia and introspection into each song. His set felt like an intimate exchange—an artist baring his soul one note at a time, delivering each phrase with a crooner’s finesse that evoked smoky-voiced troubadours of another era. His music holds a distinct atmospheric quality, creating an immersive experience that’s less about spectacle and more about quiet revelation. There’s a sense of timelessness in his lyrics, each line lingering like an unspoken memory, giving the audience a glimpse into a landscape of longing and reflection.
At the piano, Leng’s playing was both delicate and commanding, as if each note were carefully chosen to tell a story of its own. His fingers moved across the keys with an elegance that balanced precision with an easy, soulful grace. It was the kind of performance that made you feel as though you were the only one in the room, invited into a private moment shared between artist and instrument. Although his set was brief, it was powerful, leaving the room enveloped in a contemplative silence. Leng had drawn everyone into his world, even if just for a short while, and the room buzzed with quiet anticipation for the acts yet to come.
Then came Sabrina Sterling, an artist I’ve had the pleasure of seeing three times this year. Each performance has reinforced why she’s swiftly become one of my favorite singer-songwriters. There’s something magnetic in her approach—an undeniable sincerity that pulls you in, whether it’s your first time hearing her or your third. Her voice, soft and tender yet carrying a surprising weight, transforms simple melodies into powerful emotional statements. Songs like “Bittersweet” and “Love Me That Way” peel back layers of raw feeling, speaking to truths that resonate across generations. Her songwriting feels timeless; it reaches to the heart with an honesty that’s both refreshing and deeply familiar, as if she’s singing the words we’ve all kept unsaid.
On stage, Sterling creates an intimate world of her own, one that feels incredibly personal yet universally relatable. Watching her, it’s hard not to feel profoundly moved. Perhaps it’s the way she bares her emotions in each song, her youthful voice tempered with a wisdom that seems beyond her years. She explores universal themes—love, longing, self-discovery—with a frankness that resonates even for a middle-aged listener like myself. Her presence on stage is warm and unpretentious, inviting the audience into her stories without a hint of bravado. She doesn’t demand attention; instead, she quietly commands it, letting her music speak with an authenticity that needs no embellishment.
As she performed, each song felt like a shared conversation unfolding in the dim glow of the Fonda’s lights, drawing the audience into a collective reverie. Sterling’s ability to connect with listeners is nothing short of remarkable. There’s a rare vulnerability in her delivery, a feeling that she’s not just performing but genuinely opening up to those around her. By the end of her set, the room felt wrapped in a kind of reflective stillness, as if everyone was left to process the stories she’d woven.
The anticipation was electric as Wasia Project took the stage. The room fell silent, only to erupt in applause as Will and Olivia stepped into the spotlight. They began with tracks from their latest EP, *Isotope*, a collection of songs that showcases their ability to marry sophisticated arrangements with lyrical depth. Their music is steeped in jazz influences, yet it’s undeniably pop—catchy, but never trite.
As the set continued, the duo played through nearly their entire repertoire, their chemistry and musicianship evident in every note. Olivia’s voice, in particular, was spellbinding—its timbre carrying both strength and vulnerability, a lilt that seemed to dance between jazz and indie-pop sensibilities. Will’s instrumental prowess and harmony work complemented her perfectly, painting a sonic picture that felt both intimate and grand.
About halfway through, they surprised the audience with a cover of Sade’s “Smooth Operator.” While undeniably charming, there was a youthful exuberance in their rendition that felt, at moments, like it was yearning for a bit more worldly experience. Yet that’s part of the charm of Wasia Project—they’re unafraid to tackle the classics while infusing their own spirit, even if they haven’t yet fully grown into all the sentiments they explore.
In a delightful twist, they dusted off “Why Don’t U Love Me,” their debut single, which had the crowd cheering and singing along, a testament to the band’s connection with their audience. For a duo still early in their career, they have an astonishing ability to evoke such devotion from their listeners.
What struck me most about Wasia Project’s performance was the maturity of their sound. Pop music is evolving, and with artists like Laufey and Mitski leading the way, it’s clear that listeners are craving complexity and honesty. Wasia Project embodies this shift. Their music feels sophisticated yet accessible, a tapestry of jazz, pop, and indie sensibilities woven together in a way that resonates across generations. The crowd sang along, swaying in unison, a testament to the music’s undeniable pull.
If this is the direction of pop—one where authenticity, musical depth, and emotional clarity reign—I’m all for it.
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LIVE CLIPS
