Summer isn’t all sunshine and icy drinks with fruit in them. No matter what The Beach Boys tried to tell you, it’s a season for loss as much as any other. A song like "Cruel Summer" works at taking a different approach to an overplayed trope, and the cover from The Daybreaks’ camp pulls double duty. Fully indulging in the bleak sorrow suggested in the composition of the 1980s original, it’s clearly a well thought out effort that doesn’t take the gimmicky style-swap change of some covers or the miserably by-the-numbers approach of many others, but instead explores the intent of the original in a meaningful way and adds to what was already present. This version, held aloft by a restrained instrumentation and hauntingly cool harmonies, is like a nice bit of shade from the heat. If you want to get into the summer spirit but aren’t sold on the idea of the season as a three month party, check out the video below. –Austin Phy
