I'm confident this is exactly what the a cappella community wants from a cover of Taylor Swift's Cruel Summer, a jam we can relish well after the last July sunset.

The production work here is impeccable. With a giant wall of sound encapsulating the listener, it's easy to feel like we're at a concert in our living room. Exceptionally clean, the audio engineers at Liquid 5th made sure everything was smooth and tucked in for the Vital Signs, who sound ready for an upscale night out on the town. The drum patterns and dynamics are also flawless; nothing to add or fix there, what star-power from drummer (and arranger!) Prabh Saini.

The lead is where your ear will tip toward first, particularly on Jaid Green's dazzling flexibility in register and octave work as she elegantly floats around the staff with ease. You'll sway along to the whole danged song, I'm certain. The beautiful, delicate cascade ending is also a treat; I appreciate the vocal work more with each listen.

There's so much happening on everyone's part, but the piece never crosses into too-busy. Cruel Summer is entertaining, solid on technical proficiency, and genuinely satisfying. Fist bumps to all!