Taylor Swift's "Cruel Summer" Gets a House Makeover by Rising Star LP Giobbi

Introduction

If you appreciate Taylor Swift's music, you're probably well-acquainted with the dazzling energy and heartfelt emotion she delivers. But what happens when you combine the pop stylings of Taylor Swift with the pounding dance beats of rising electronic music sensation LP Giobbi? 

The result is a thrill, as I discovered when I had the chance to dive into the sound of LP Giobbi's remix of “Cruel Summer,” which was released October 19, 2023. 

LP Giobbi (Leah Chisholm) has been making waves in the electronic dance music scene. As of early November 2023, she boasts an impressive 4.6 million monthly Spotify listeners and recently released her album, “Light Places,” which caught the attention of many EDM fans. 

Her remixes have gained recognition across the dance music industry, and among them are her interpretations of Chris Lorenzo and High Jinx’s “California Dreamin’” as well as her rendition of Dom Dolla’s famous track “Pump the Brakes.” The one we are about to delve into is her take on “Cruel Summer.” 

She performed live at the Knockdown Center to a sold-out crowd in Queens, New York, on November 18 as part of her “Light Places Tour”. I was eagerly anticipating attending and thoroughly enjoyed the show.

This rising star's work extends beyond just her music, as she has co-founded Femme House, a non-profit dedicated to empowering underrepresented individuals in the music industry.

It's clear that LP Giobbi is more than just an electronic music artist; she's a force wanting to see change in the industry as well.

When I first heard about LP Giobbi, it was through her remixes, specifically her “Dead House”—her take on Jerry Garcia's work–that piqued my interest. The fusion of electronic dance music, house, and the Grateful Dead's jam band sound was intriguing to me. Not many had thought of it. 

Swift's Pop Sound Meets Giobbi's Groove

“Cruel Summer” was one of the standout tracks from Taylor Swift's 2019 album, “Lover.” With its infectious pop melody and catchy lyrics, the song quickly became a fan favorite. 

This year, “Cruel Summer” made a little comeback mainly because of its inclusion in Taylor Swift's recent, legendary Eras Tour–where it was featured in the “Lover Act” of the show. This, coupled with its viral spread on social media, resulted in its re-entry onto the Billboard Hot 100 at number 49 in June 2023.

When I hit play on LP Giobbi's remix, I was immediately struck by how effortlessly she melded Swift's pop style with her own dance-infused groove. 

The remix kicks off with a soft, deep-house vibe in the introduction, really setting the tone for what's to come. It's an inviting and unexpected start that draws you in with its unique beat. Swift's sped-up vocals from the original track are front and center, and it's worth noting how LP Giobbi distinctively uses them in the mix.

The lyrics, such as “And it's new/the shape of your body/It's blue/the feeling I've got/And it's ooh, woah-oh/It's a cruel summer,'' are sung with powerful enthusiasm that matches the dance groove perfectly, acting as a very effective hook. 

My only quibble about the remix is that I find the vocals to be a bit rushed–perhaps too sped up.  It can be challenging to fully grasp the lyrics and feel the vibe unless you're already very familiar with the original “Cruel Summer.” 

Although, I understand that sped-up remixes and edits have become increasingly useful and popular in the modern era–especially on platforms like TikTok–where such remixes may gain significant traction and success through content creation.

At first, I found the speed a bit too challenging to dissect, but it didn't take long for me to get used to it and realize that it was part of the fun. The remix's tempo encourages the listener to let go, smile, roll down the windows, or maybe even take to the dance floor–and it's clear that LP Giobbi knows how to get people to move.

The Magic of the Instrumentation

One of the standout features of LP Giobbi's music is her adept use of musical instruments. As a Grateful Dead fan, I'm always intrigued by how she pays tribute to them with a jam band-inspired sound in her dance tracks. Her keyboard skills appear to draw inspiration from the likes of Keith Godchaux and Brent Mydland, particularly evident in many of her jam-oriented live shows. 

Her piano plays a big role in propelling the track progression in her “Cruel Summer” remix, seamlessly blending into the mix, and crafting a rich, sonic sound.

Around the 2:22 mark, the remix takes an unexpected turn, leading to a final drop that excellently showcases LP Giobbi's production skills. It's at this moment that the track reaches its climax, and the progression is undeniable. The energy rises, and the listener is carried away on a musical cloud that can be described as animated.

Another noteworthy element of LP Giobbi's remix is the way she brings back the lyrics, “I'm drunk in the back of the car, And I cried like a baby coming home from the bar (Oh)/Said, 'I'm fine,' but it wasn't true (Ooh, woah-oh), I don't wanna keep secrets just to keep you.”

This verse reemerges to back the chorus, adding to the remix's depth and meaning when you pay attention to the lyrics. It's a clever and effective choice that shows off LP Giobbi's understanding of how to enhance a song's emotion.

A Mix of Artistry and Energy

Out of 2023’s dance remixes, LP Giobbi's take on Taylor Swift's “Cruel Summer” stands out as a remarkable fusion of two distinct musical worlds. Swift's pop sensibilities coexist well with LP Giobbi's house sound, creating a track that is not only addicting to listen to but quite tough to resist on the dance floor.

As I prepared to attend LP Giobbi's live performance at the Knockdown Center in Queens, New York, I couldn't help but feel excited about what she had in store for the audience. With her impressive track record of notable performances at festivals like Coachella, EDC Mexico, Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo, Tomorrowland, and Creamfields, I had no doubt that the show would be a night to remember. And indeed it was; LP Giobbi's live performance at the Knockdown Center was simply awesome.

On top of that, LP Giobbi's dedication to uplifting women, gender-expansive individuals, people of color, and LGBTQIA+ creatives is evident through her non-profit organization, Femme House. This says so much about her character and commitment to bringing inclusivity within the music industry. By breaking down walls and opening doors for sidelined communities, she will be responsible for change on an industry-wide level.

Conclusion

In summary, LP Giobbi's remix of “Cruel Summer” is just more proof of her talent, what we can expect from her in the future, and it highlights the endless potential of reimagining and repurposing songs within the EDM genre. 

The blend of Taylor Swift's pop magic and LP Giobbi's infectious groove creates a track that is summery, fun, and meaningful.

You can enjoy the “Cruel Summer - LP Giobbi Remix” on streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, Soundcloud, YouTube, or your preferred music streaming service.

I can't help but be excited about the future of electronic dance music and the positive changes it is bringing to the music industry. LP Giobbi is a shining example of the transformative power of music and its ability to unite people from all walks of life on the dance floor. Don't be surprised if you find yourself lost in dance, just as I was amidst the sold-out New York crowd on November 18.