UK-based Kiwi artist Lepani is putting a bold new twist on some of the world’s most recognizable songs. Inspired by the electrifying energy of anime intros, he has reimagined them into a four-track cover EP ‘You Heard It Before, But Not Like This’, blending soaring vocals, cinematic guitars, and high-energy pop-rock arrangements that channel the drama and intensity of anime soundtracks.
The series began with a catchy reimagining of the Pussycat Dolls’ Stickwitu, which quickly caught fire with fans online — and even caught the attention of original members Nicole Scherzinger and Carmit Bachar. The viral Instagram reel sparked massive engagement, and the full release went on to surpass 70,000 streams on Spotify, setting the tone for what would become a fan-driven project built on social media demand.
Following that breakthrough, Lepani is releasing fresh covers of global hits in a pop-rock style, each one shaped by requests and votes from his audience. Every single has built momentum — from reels hitting hundreds of thousands of views, to strong streaming numbers across Spotify and Apple Music, with Instagram fan requests continually steering the project’s direction.
Lepani followed STICKWITU with a reimagining of Swedish House Mafia’s Save the World. The cover translated the dance anthem into a cinematic, anime-rock track. Now, this latest single, REWRITE THE STARS (from The Greatest Showman), has arrived after overwhelming demand from listeners who had already driven over 600,000 views on the original cover video. The track not only channels the theatrical and hopeful spirit of Broadway but reimagines it through the lens of anime-inspired pop-rock — showcasing Lepani’s ability to fuse genres into something both cinematic and energizing.
‘You Heard It Before, But Not Like This’ EP will be closing on October 3rd with THE GREATEST (Sia), the final piece in this waterfall release. Together, the series forms a cohesive EP that celebrates both pop nostalgia and the soaring, motivational spirit of anime.
“I wanted to take songs that people already love and flip them into something that feels like a main character anthem,” says Lepani. “The fans really shaped this project — every release was built on their requests. It’s been amazing to create something that feels like it belongs in the world of anime intros, but still connects with listeners through songs they already know.”
With 70K+ streams on the lead single alone and fan engagement continuing to drive each release, Lepani’s anime-inspired covers put a fresh, high-energy spin on iconic hits. This EP is a soundtrack for dreamers, underdogs, and anyone chasing something bigger than themselves.
Tracklist (‘You Heard It Before, But Not Like This’ EP):
STICKWITU
SAVE THE WORLD
REWRITE THE STARS
THE GREATEST