Wafia – Promised Land

Wafia is a familiar name in the Australian pop scene, known for hits like I’m Good and Heartburn. Her debut album, PROMISED LAND, is a highly anticipated 13-track exploration of her new self-described dreamy and psychedelic sound. Following a string of incredible singles and a teaser tour across select Australian cities in late 2024, and delaying the album’s release due to the devastating LA wildfires—where she has lived since 2020—we’re finally able to experience PROMISED LAND in full. 

The album opens with The Summer Was Sweet, a dissonant introduction featuring an untuned piano and reverberating vocal hums that set the tone for what’s to come. This seamlessly transitions into Vision of Love, a masterclass in pop storytelling. The track’s standout feature is its vocals, supported by swooning guitar and brushed drums, while carrying forward the ethereal, reverbed atmosphere of the opener.

The album takes a rhythmic turn with Big Thoughts, which revisits Wafia’s signature upbeat pop sensibilities—but with a twist. Maintaining the lush guitar sounds, this track introduces a danceable beat, offering a refreshing contrast to the slower, more introspective songs it’s nestled between.

Another standout track from the album is Distant, which explores the complexities of navigating a relationship’s trajectory. Wafia reassures the antagonist not to take it personally if she feels distant—she just needs to sit with the feeling. The track’s rich vocal harmonies in the chorus evoke Imogen Heap, while its minimalistic production, featuring finger clicks and swelling synths, keeps the focus on the emotional lyrics.

Sad Shit was the album’s most recent single and the second-to-last track, ensuring it leaves a lasting impact. Written using “the last texts an ex had sent,” the song lays bare the cruelty of abusive relationships and their lingering effects—all while being wrapped in dreamy harmonies and infectious rhythms.  

While PROMISED LAND moves away from the upbeat pop style she’s known for, its rawness and authenticity is transformational, and ultimately an intimate and personal expression of the unexpected places you call home. If you’re after something full of soul, this is it.