Sneha Jaiswal's Blog, page 49
January 28, 2025
You Never Heard of Me Issue #2 Review
Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram | GoodReads)
“Okay. Let’s go. I can do this.”
And that’s how you start your day – with a little morning affirmation. At least, protagonist William seems all set to tackle a school day without major hiccups at the start of You Never Heard of Me Issue 2 by Iolanda Zanfardino and Eliza Romboli. If you recall, the previous issue ended with William inheriting his grandmother’s gift: the ability to see the best and worst moments of a person’s life with just a touch. It might sound magical, and awesome, but with big powers, come big problems.
Need a refresher? Read: ‘You Never Heard of Me’ Issue #1 Review
Issue #2 focuses on William’s attempts to keep a low profile at school and avoid using his seer-like powers. Unfortunately, avoiding accidental touches and the glimpses of futures they trigger, proves harder than expected. Despite his efforts, William ends up seeing a few futures he’d rather not and finds himself torn between helping others and minding his own business.
The dynamic, colorful artwork is perfect for the energetic high-school setting in this issue. Eliza Romboli makes William’s visions stand out in the comic book pages, splitting the ‘best’ moments in golden yellow hues, while the ‘worst’ moments are in glassy blue tones. The result is a visually stunning Pandora’s box that immerses readers in the most intimate aspects of a person’s life, from joyful highs to painful lows.
This edition of You Never Heard of Me introduces several new faces, including the spirited Allie, who stands up for her friends and, unlike William, thrives on getting involved in other people’s lives. She stubbornly inserts herself into William’s world, becoming his new friend and potentially pulling him into her circle, and maybe even her troubles.
In just a few pages of issue #2, Iolanda Zanfardino packs in a whirlwind of experiences, but the real highlight is William’s interactions with the fiery Allie. These two couldn’t be more different, yet they’re bonded by their big hearts and shared drive to help others. William’s the quieter, shy type, while Allie’s the bold, take-charge kind of person – perhaps just the kind of push he needs to step up and truly embrace his powers!
Catch up with ‘You Never Heard of Me‘ if you’re looking for a new fantasy series.
Read Next: Sliced Review: Pizza Chefs vs. Mafia – Who Gets the Last Slice?
Also Read: Shubeik Lubeik Review: Fantastic Blend of Magical Realism (audio version below)
January 27, 2025
Five Offbeat Vampire Novels That Suck in the Best Way
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Tired of the same old brooding, cape-wearing bloodsuckers? Modern vampire fiction has evolved way beyond that – mixing humor, heart, and some pretty wild ideas to create stories you won’t be able to put down. Whether it’s vampires surviving on lemon juice or shaking up historical events, these books breathe (or suck?) new life into the genre. Let’s dive in – fangs first!
1. “Fledgling” by Octavia E. ButlerWhy it’s unique: A vampire with amnesia and a twist of science.
Forget elegant aristocrats in gothic castles—this vampire is a genetically engineered, dark-skinned 53-year-old (who looks like a child) trying to figure out her identity after a brutal attack. Octavia E. Butler combines sci-fi elements with thoughtful explorations of race, consent, and what it truly means to belong.
Why it’s unique: A chubby vampire trying to survive modern New Orleans.
Jules Duchon is not your typical vampire—he’s overweight, lazy, and kind of a mess. His struggle to adapt to modern life while battling a much younger, more fashionable vampire is as hilarious as it is heartfelt. Think of this one as a biting satire of traditional vampire tropes with a whole lot of humor.
Why it’s unique: What if vampires became a political movement?
Told in the style of an oral history, this book takes a World War Z-style approach to a vampire outbreak. The “Gloamings,” as they’re called, start challenging the status quo, leading to a global social and political reckoning. It’s sharp, witty, and eerily plausible. Vampires, but make it bureaucratic chaos.
Why it’s unique: A feminist, queer spin on the vampire myth.
Spanning 200 years, this story follows Gilda, a runaway enslaved girl turned vampire, as she grapples with questions of love, morality, and immortality. It’s one of the most groundbreaking takes on the genre, exploring themes of community and justice, with a strong dose of LGBTQ+ representation.
Why it’s unique: Lemons instead of blood? Yes, really.
This collection of whimsical, magical realist stories includes a couple of vampires trying to satisfy their cravings with, you guessed it… lemons. Karen Russell’s writing is as weird and beautiful as it gets, offering a refreshing take (pun intended) on vampire lore. It’s like nothing you’ve read before.
Ready to sink your teeth into one of these? Whether you’re in the mood for humor, heart, or history, these offbeat vampire tales are sure to leave you with chills… and maybe a craving for lemon juice.
Read Next: Sliced Review: Pizza Chefs vs. Mafia – Who Gets the Last Slice?
Also Read: Shubeik Lubeik Review: Fantastic Blend of Magical Realism (audio version below)
Fourever You Series Review: A Love Quad Stretched Too Thin
Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)
‘Fourever You’ is the kind of campus romance that throws viewers back to the 2017-18 era of Thai BLs, when they were far too few, so fans of the genre would we happy with whatever they could get. But cut to 2025, and viewers are spoiled for choice, there are so many options that it’s hard to keep up with BL content. It’s the kind of familiar, silly college romance, where the lead is completely confused over whether his crush likes him back, despite having kissed each other (while they were sober).
Directed by New Siwaj Sawatmaneekul (We Are, A Boss and a Babe) and Ko Nantalit Tampacha, the Thai series Fourever You follows two college roommates who are looking forward to a fun campus life but instead get caught up in relationship troubles when they are romantically pursued by two popular seniors. Earth Katsamonnat Namwirote and Bas Hatsanat Piniwat play roommates Easter and North, respectively. Pond Ponlawit Ketprapakorn plays Hill, who wants to date Easter, while his best friend, Johan (played by Maxky Ratchata Pichetshote), the “hot, playboy” of the campus, is interested in the carefree North.
Spanning 17 episodes, Fourever You surprisingly begins with a steamy scene but soon shifts focus to the hilarious roommate dynamic between protagonists Easter (Earth Katsamonnat Namwirote) and North (Bas Hatsanat Piniwat). While Easter is cheery, childish, and full of self-doubt, North is laid-back, unbothered, and always playing games in his free time. Their interactions as friends are pretty cute in the first few episodes, but soon, as the series begins to heavily focus on Easter’s crush on senior Hill, Fourever You goes slightly downhill. The posters for the show make you believe that the screen time will be evenly split between the four protagonists, but there are also a bunch of other side romances that are mostly ignored, despite the generous 17-episode runtime.
Early on, it’s clearly established that Hill loves Easter and vice versa, but for the stupidest of reasons, Easter keeps thinking Hill likes his sister or someone else, despite Hill asking him upfront if he’d like to be Hill’s boyfriend. The directors reduce Easter’s character to an annoying little kid who has no idea what’s happening around him, while Pond Ponlawit Ketprapakorn looks confused most of the time. Easter and Hill’s romance is prolonged into a “situationship” for no reason, with multiple soppy flashbacks showing how the two were more than just friends during high school too. At one point, I was simply skipping most scenes with Easter and Hill, since nothing substantial was happening between their characters.
Fourever You is a lot more watchable when the story focuses on the unlikely romance between the “hot and cold” Johan, a super-rich senior who is also working most of the time for his dad’s business, but is smitten with North. When North gets into a drunken brawl with some university students over his ex-girlfriend, Johan comes to his rescue, and North ends up breaking lots of expensive stuff at Johan’s home, becoming his debtor. Johan keeps making North run errands for him, and the two begin to fall in mutual love. Again, this is a very familiar trope in BL dramas. For instance, in the Thai series We Are, one of the protagonists owes a lot of money to a rich guy he eventually falls for. But despite the familiarity, Bas Hatsanat Piniwat and Maxky Ratchata Pichetshote not only make a visually striking couple but are also cute in terms of the “rich, serious, hot guy falls for the poor, cute goofball” trope.
Overall, Fourever You feels overly stretched and would have benefited from tighter editing and a more balanced distribution of screen time among its protagonists. Thankfully, at least it ends on a concrete note, giving both leads pairs a conclusive climax.
Rating: 5 on 10. Watch the series on WeTV.
Also Read: Castlevania: Nocturne Season 2 Review – Near Immaculate! (Audio version below)
January 26, 2025
Baban Baban Ban Vampire Episode 3 Review
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Ahahahahahaha… Who would’ve thought that the posters warning residents of a shady man prowling the streets at night in Baban Baban Ban Vampire weren’t about Ranmaru Mori, the vampire, but an actual human creep instead?! Episode 2 ended with poor Aoi walking home late in the evening when she encounters an old man who flashes her and then attempts to assault her. It was a tense, disturbing cliffhanger, so the creators waste no time in Episode 3, which begins with Mori coming to Aoi’s rescue.
For plot overview, read: Baban Baban Ban Vampire Episode One Review
Mori was simply out hunting for food; he certainly didn’t expect to catch Aoi’s scent and find her at the mercy of a creepy old man. In a moment of comic relief, Aoi’s crush on Mori is confirmed in a more obvious way, further establishing the hilarious love triangle between Aoi, Mori, and Mori’s favorite boy – Rihito.
Titled “Franken and the Vampire,” Episode 3 of Baban Baban Ban Vampire delivers wacky fun, with misunderstandings that solidify the ‘love triangle’ subplot. Rihito loves Aoi, Aoi loves Mori, and Mori is only interested in devouring Rihito when the time is right. While the animation may not be top-tier, the comical story of a bathhouse vampire living with his prey (Rihito), patiently waiting for the ‘meat’ to reach the ripe age of 16, offers plenty of hilarious moments that make it easy to overlook the animation flaws.
Like the first two episodes, this edition too offers some interesting flashbacks to Mori’s past, including how he became a vampire in the first place. As far as the title is concerned, the young thug Franken finally makes an appearance in the second half of the episode. He was introduced in episode 2 of Baban Baban Ban Vampire as the ringleader of the teen delinquents who bully Rihito at school. The climactic moments of the episode unfold as his path crosses with Mori, culminating in a hilariously unexpected twist.
You can watch Baban Baban Ban Vampire on Netflix.
Read Next: Ron Kamonohashi’s Forbidden Deductions Season 2 Review
Also Read: Castlevania: Nocturne Season 2 Review (Audio version below)
Sakamoto Days Episode 3 Review: Hitmen Vs Hitmen!
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Shin might be an average employee under Mr Sakamoto at the convenience store now, but who can forget how his original mission was to kill his current boss?! And now that the two of them together have wiped a whole bunch of mafia men while trying to help Lu (now their newest co-worker) in episode 2 of ‘Sakamoto Days’, more men are interested in getting rid of Sakamoto than before.
Titled ‘Welcome to Sugar Park’, episode 3 of ‘Sakamoto Days’ begins with a weird, comical twist, apart from introducing a new hit man trying to murder Mr Sakamoto. “You know, for someone who’s retired, you draw a lot of attention,” a hitman tells Sakamoto.
In this episode, Sakamoto takes his family to a theme park, while Lu and Shin accompany them with the intention of keeping an eye out for more hitmen who might try to kill their boss. If nothing else, the first two episodes have clearly established what Sakamoto values most in life: his peaceful life with his wife and daughter. So, Shin is determined to ensure his boss has a fun, uninterrupted day off with his family at the theme park.
Episode 3 introduces a new hitman, whose character design looked like a mash between Suguru Geto and Mahito from the hit anime ‘Jujutsu Kaisen’. Since multiple hitmen are out for Sakamoto’s blood, the edition packs in a lot of action scenes, most of which are hilariously over the top. For instance, there’s an exaggerated fight sequence between Shin and a new hitman while they are both on a rollercoaster ride! Yep, this is a fun episode that gets over pretty quickly.
Watch ‘Sakamoto Days’ on Netflix.
Read Next: Ron Kamonohashi’s Forbidden Deductions Season 2 Review
Also Read: Castlevania: Nocturne Season 2 Review (Audio version below)
January 24, 2025
Behind The Glow: What It’s Like to Attend a Candlelight Concert in India
Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)
“Wanna go?”
K sent me a link to a ‘Candlelight concert’ show which was going to take place in a few days from when he sent me the message on Whatsapp. I had seen photos and videos of these shows from Europe in stunning venues on Instagram. And now they were doing shows across cities in India in tie-up with local artists. The prices seemed steep, and the venue was a four star hotel. I responded saying “not sure if it’s worth it”, but went on Instagram to check their videos out.
Funnily, I had some messages from K over there too. First was an ad by ‘Candlelight Concerts’ that they were doing a show in Visakhapatnam, the city we were in, visiting my parents.
“Looks like a scam. Not sure if it’s a real event” – one of his messages said.
I burst out laughing and waited to have a conversation about it when we were in the same room.
“So what is it? Have you made up your mind about whether this event is a scam or not?”
“I looked it up, it’s a legit event”
So the ‘wanna go’ message was sent after some fact-checking. I saw them in the wrong chronological order. After a little bit of debating, we finally decided to ask our parents if they’d be interested in experiencing this unique concert. Mom was immediately interested, Dad said ‘NO’ extremely fast. That’s it, Mom’s call it was, we decided to witness the candle-night concert with mom. We booked tickets for ‘Zone A’, which is supposed to be closest to the performers. Now here’s the thing, the web page (liveyourcity.com) for Visakhapatnam did not reveal who was going to perform, so that was under wraps until the last minute.
Saturday night, when we reached the venue, Fairfield by Marriott, there were beautiful candles everywhere, and of-course they were fake – electric lamps. Which we obviously knew, no venue in their right mind would allow hundreds or thousands of real candles at a concert. “It’s a fire hazard to have real candles,” I told mom. We got our entry bands on our hands and entered the primary hall where the concert was going to take place. A brown grand piano which had evidently experienced much wear and tear stood at the center of the air-conditioned hall, surrounded by candles. The venue looked beautiful, and the candles seemed like the real deal from afar, just like the pictures.
“You know what will be disappointing? If it’s only one pianist,” I softly told both mom and K after we took our seats and waited for the musician(s) to arrive.
As the clock ticked to 9, an announcement informed the audience to keep our phones on silent and not take any pictures or videos. “The musicians have requested that the audience can only record the last song of the set”.
“They said musicians, plural,” I got excited and whispered to K.
But then, a pianist, dressed in a suit, with a kind smile, climbed up the stage, introduced himself and said he would be playing some classic hits from Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Hindi films.
He started the show with by playing the piano version of the song ‘Srivalli’ from the hit Telugu movie Pushpa. It was immaculate.
“Is he really playing?” I whispered.
It sounded so flawless, like a recorded version. But yes, he was playing for real, and at the back of my mind, I kept hoping for more musicians to join him in the next track. No such luck.
The candle-night concert was a solo piano show and honestly the musician was great, although he seemed stage-shy when he spoke to the audience in between tracks, choosing to look at the ground while speaking, instead of looking the listeners.
For the next one hour, he played familiar tunes, kept the audience engaged, but we couldn’t help thinking throughout the show that even if there had just been another musician, it would’ve been so much more fun. An unknown face doing covers of songs that have little scope for improvisation and deviations, can get a wee bit monotonous with a one-man-cast. The set ended on a high note though, with the performer asking the audience to sing along to his piano cover of ‘Why This Kolaveri Di?’, the viral hit from 2011.
When the show ended, we looked up the events page and saw that another upcoming concert in Bengaluru had three musicians listed for their candlelight event.
If I had to rate the concert we attended in Visakhapatnam, it would be 3 on 5. It’s worth an experience if the show is happening in your city and you do not travel a lot. Also, once we were there, we realized the seating doesn’t really matter, especially since the venue was small, so depending on where you decided to attend, you can just book any zone tickets.
If you travel quite a bit, maybe attend one an event in a city with more musicians. I would love to attend one of these in Europe!
This is the link to look up for upcoming candlelight concerts in cities across India – https://liveyourcity.com/en
Read Next: Sabrina Carpenter’s Espresso: These Covers Brew Fresh Life Into the Viral Hit
Also Read: Castlevania: Nocturne Season 2 Review (Audio version below)
The Calendar Killer Review: Murder, Marriage, and a Long Walk Home
Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)
“Him or you. One of you will die.”
A new serial killer terrorizes Berlin in the German thriller film ‘The Calendar Killer‘ (native title: Der Heimweg). He gives his victims the date of their murder, offering them a chilling choice: decide who really dies – them or their partner.
Created by Adolfo J. Kolmerer (director), Sebastian Fitzek (writer), and Susanne Schneider (writer), the film stars Luise Heyer as Klara, a married woman targeted by the Calendar Killer. The police dismiss Klara’s claims, and her abusive husband, Martin (Friedrich Mücke), gaslights her into believing she’s hallucinating. With no one on her side, Klara calls a helpline for women walking alone at night, where volunteer Jules (Sabin Tambrea) tries to assist her.
‘The Calendar Killer‘ is tense and anxiety-inducing, building solid suspense as it keeps viewers guessing whether Klara is truly being stalked by a serial killer or if her trauma from domestic violence is causing her to imagine it all. However, the disproportionately large amount of screen time given to Jules, the helpline volunteer, as he talks to Klara during her late-night journey home, raises questions about the plot’s direction. While the climactic twists ultimately justify Jules’ presence, they also make you question many of the earlier scenes. Essentially, it’s one of those films that deliberately misleads viewers with carefully constructed moments that are quite questionable.
Luise Heyer holds The Calendar Killer together as the distraught Klara, who is already suffocating in a bad marriage just to keep her daughter happy. Jules’ character stays in the same apartment for most of the 1-hour 37-minute runtime, working on the helpline and guiding Klara to safety, even though she always ends up in more trouble. You keep wondering – what’s the deal with this Jules?
Instead of immersing myself in the movie and patiently following its events, I found myself restless to see what would happen with the serial killer, while feeling largely disengaged from Klara’s interactions with Jules – except for the flashback scenes that offered insight into her life. This is where the filmmakers falter: they set up expectations of a gripping serial killer narrative, only to shift the focus to an extended conversation exploring the physical and psychological toll of abuse in marriage. Can Klara end the cycle of violence in her life? Well, the climax heads to a cliched ending, with dramatic twists, and depending on your mood, you might love or hate the end.
Rating: 5.5 on 10. Watch ‘Calendar Killer’ on Prime Video.
Also Read: Castlevania: Nocturne Season 2 Review – Near Immaculate! (Audio version below)
January 23, 2025
Sekhmet – The Fierce Goddess Tied to Castlevania Nocturne Season 2
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Let’s take a moment to talk about Sekhmet – the Egyptian goddess who’d probably win in a fight against any mythological figure you can name. Her name means “The Powerful One,” which feels like an understatement. Imagine a lioness with divine powers, a short temper, and a job description that includes smiting enemies, keeping chaos at bay, and occasionally bringing plagues – just for balance. Sekhmet wasn’t just fierce; she was the very definition of fierce. Which is why she makes the perfect fit to inspire the primary antagonists in Netflix animated series ‘Castlevania: Nocturne’ in season 2.
Sekhmet in the Fictional World of Castlevania
Erzebet Bathory, the Vampire Queen who wants to swallow the moon for good in the show and take over the world, draws her strength from Sekhmet’s blood in the series. In flashbacks, we learn how Drolta, the vampire, used to be a priestess at Sekhmet’s tomb. In the fictional world of Castlevania, legend goes that only a rare few can survive if they drink Sekhmet’s blood, which is preserved in her tomb. To ensure her goddess walks on earth again, Drolta becomes a vampire and begins to hunt the ‘vessel’ who could become the next Sekhmet.
Finally, she learns about Erzebet, an infamous countess imprisoned for drinking the blood of countless young girls just to preserve her youth and beauty. Drolta’s doubts prove right, and Erzebet indeed doesn’t perish after consuming Sekhmet’s blood but instead becomes incredibly powerful. Together, the two women plot to take over the reins of power in France first.
If you’re a Castlevania fan and love Egyptian lore, let’s dive into Sekhmet’s story, the beliefs surrounding her, and why she’s still fascinating today.
The Lioness of Ra
Sekhmet was no ordinary goddess. She was the daughter of Ra, the sun god and king of the Egyptian pantheon. According to myth, Ra’s enemies were getting a little too bold, questioning his power and causing trouble. Ra decided he needed a little divine enforcement, so he sent Sekhmet to sort things out. But Sekhmet didn’t just “sort things out.” She went on a rampage that would make any Marvel villain look like a puppy.
Sekhmet’s weapon of choice? Her fiery breath, said to scorch the desert. She was depicted as a lioness because lions, much like Sekhmet, don’t ask questions before asserting dominance. And her ferocity wasn’t just physical; Sekhmet was also associated with plagues. You could say she was the goddess of both “fight” and “flight,” as she’d either protect you or send a disease your way—depending on her mood.
The Bloodthirsty Tale
One of Sekhmet’s most famous myths is the story of how she nearly wiped out humanity. Ra, feeling disrespected by humans, sent Sekhmet to teach them a lesson. She did her job—a little too well. Sekhmet’s bloodlust kicked in, and she went on an unstoppable killing spree. Her thirst for blood became literal; she drank it up like it was happy hour at the Nile.
Realizing that his creation was about to become extinct, Ra hatched a plan to stop Sekhmet. He ordered his priests to brew up a huge batch of beer and dye it red with pomegranate juice to make it look like blood. When Sekhmet stumbled upon this river of “blood,” she couldn’t resist. She drank and drank until she passed out. When she woke up, her rage was gone, and humanity was safe. Moral of the story? Always keep a stash of beer handy if you’re dealing with Sekhmet.
Dual Nature: Protector and Destroyer
Sekhmet wasn’t all about chaos and destruction, though. Like many Egyptian deities, she had a dual nature. On one hand, she was the goddess you’d pray to if your enemies were getting out of line. On the other, she was also a healer and a protector.
In her gentler moments, Sekhmet was associated with physicians and surgeons. She was called upon to ward off diseases and ensure health. Her priests were said to be skilled healers who blended spiritual rituals with practical medicine. If you got sick in ancient Egypt, you’d want Sekhmet on your side—but you’d also want to stay on her good side. The Egyptians believed that if you angered her, she could just as easily send sickness your way as she could cure it.
Source: Pixabay (MythologyArt)Sekhmet’s Temples and Worship
Sekhmet’s followers were devoted, and it’s easy to see why. Who wouldn’t want a goddess with lion-like ferocity and healing powers on their team? Her main cult center was in Memphis, Egypt, where she was worshipped alongside her husband, Ptah (the god of craftsmen and architects), and their son, Nefertum (god of healing and beauty).
One of the most intriguing rituals associated with Sekhmet was the “pacification” ceremony. Every year, her priests and followers would hold a festival to calm her temper. This involved music, dancing, and (of course) beer—a nod to the myth of how she was pacified with red-dyed beer. These festivals were not just about keeping Sekhmet happy; they were also times of celebration, honoring her as both a fierce protector and a benevolent healer.
Sekhmet in Art and Symbolism
Sekhmet’s iconic image was that of a lion-headed woman, often wearing a solar disk and a uraeus (a rearing cobra) on her head. The solar disk signified her connection to Ra, while the cobra symbolized her protective and destructive power. Her statues were placed in temples and tombs as guardians, meant to ward off evil and ensure balance.
In some depictions, she holds an ankh (symbol of life) in one hand and a scepter in the other, showcasing her role as both a giver and taker of life. Her presence was meant to inspire awe and a healthy dose of fear—the kind of energy that says, “Don’t mess with me or the people I protect.”
Sekhmet’s Legacy
Even today, Sekhmet’s story resonates. She’s a symbol of feminine strength, duality, and the fine line between creation and destruction. Modern interpretations of Sekhmet often portray her as a fierce feminist icon, embodying empowerment and resilience. Whether you see her as a warrior, a healer, or a little bit of both, there’s no denying her influence on mythology and popular culture.
In a world that’s often chaotic, Sekhmet reminds us of the power of balance—and the importance of knowing when to unleash your inner lioness and when to calm it with a metaphorical glass of red-dyed beer. So the next time life feels overwhelming, channel your inner Sekhmet. Be fierce, but don’t forget to celebrate and heal, too. And if all else fails, remember: sometimes, a little beer can save the day.
Sabrina Carpenter’s Espresso: These Covers Brew Fresh Life Into the Viral Hit
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If there’s one song you can’t escape lately, it’s Sabrina Carpenter’s Espresso. It’s the kind of earworm that practically lives in your head rent-free, popping up everywhere from TikTok dances to Instagram reels. A viral sensation and a chart-topping hit, Espresso isn’t just a song; it’s a full-blown phenomenon. Released as the lead single from her sixth studio album, Short n’ Sweet, it’s a perfect blend of pop, funk, and disco vibes with a confidence-boosting lyrical flair.
If you’ve clicked on this article, we’re guessing you’re here for more Espresso goodness – and you’re in luck! While there are thousands of covers floating around online, we’ve rounded up three of our absolute favorites. Each one adds a unique twist to the already iconic track, and trust us, they’re worth a listen.
1. Good Neighbours cover Sabrina Carpenter’s ‘Espresso’ for Like A Version – We love this version, especially because it make the song sound even more like a dance number than it already is!
2. Gigi Perez — Espresso (Sabrina Carpenter Cover) [Live @ SiriusXM] – This cover makes the ‘feel good’ song sound like a moody, sad pop ballad from the 1990s, and we’re totally digging the emo vibes.
3. William Singe – Espresso (Sabrina Carpenter Cover) – Singe does a cool RnB version of the track, adding his own unique verse into the popular lyrics.
BONUS COVER NUMBER FOUR!
4. Wallows — Espresso (Sabrina Carpenter Cover) – We had to include this one too, because it sounds really good! It’s already one of the most popular covers of the song on YouTube.
If you have your own favorite covers, feel free to share them in the comments!
January 22, 2025
Wolfpitch Review: Werewolf Jams, Ghostly Keys
Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)
Look, most romance fans love a good ‘enemies to lovers’ story, but not if it comes like a slap to your face out of nowhere! That’s how the romantic subplot in the graphic novel ‘Wolfpitch‘ plays out – just two people with zero chemistry fighting like dogs and suddenly having a moment of passion that’s super ill-timed that. Even though I can’t think of a perfect equivalent, imagine seeing an old priest praying seriously in a church, then suddenly breaking out into an Eminem rap for no reason; it would be super weird right? Or maybe funny to some. But still weird. Anyway, let’s move on to the plot…
Created by Balazs Lorinczi (Doughnuts & Doom), ‘Wolfpitch’ follows Izzy, a werewolf who’s also an amazing bassist, but with the kind of attitude that keeps getting her kicked out of bands. Since human musicians can barely stand her sass, Izzy teams up with Geraldine, the ghost of a famous jazz pianist, to take part in the biggest music competition in town. Geraldine convinces Delilah, a popular drummer to join them. But Delilah hates Izzy’s guts, and the two are constantly fighting. Will they be able to make it to the competition without tearing each other apart? It looks highly unlikely!
There are a lot of fun elements in Wolfpitch that make it an entertaining read, like Geraldine the ghost being made of milkshakes or Izzy the werewolf having crazy hearing. It’s these unique, quirky elements that help pull the story out of its predictable funk – bandmates who hate each other team up for a competition; we all know how it’s going to end, right? Also, like I wrote right at the start, the romantic subplot just didn’t flow well in the story. Things could’ve worked better as a music-themed, magical tale about bickering friends putting their differences aside for a shared dream. Or Balazs Lorinczi could have extended the length of the graphic novel to give more space to the love story and make it flow smoother than the jarring execution it gets in this 188-page graphic novel.
The artwork is cute, and Balazs Lorinczi uses a fun color palette dominated by shades of pink and blue. The flashback scenes in Wolfpitch are in grey tones, making it easier to differentiate the timelines. Izzy’s character design wasn’t my favorite – she looks like someone doing a very basic cosplay of a werewolf. But it also gives her a cutesy vibe, making her feel like a furry version of Valerie Brown (the bassist in Josie and the Pussycats comics).
Overall, Wolfpitch is a bubbly, bright, mildly chaotic, and slightly predictable read, sharing quite a few similarities with Balazs Lorinczi’s earlier work Doughnuts & Doom. So, if you liked that, you’ll probably enjoy this one too.
Rating: 3 on 5. “Wolfpitch” is also on Kindle Unlimited.
Read Next: Sliced Review: Pizza Chefs vs. Mafia – Who Gets the Last Slice?
Also Read: Shubeik Lubeik Review: Fantastic Blend of Magical Realism (audio version below)
