Rockstar & Elise – “Cruel Summer – Emily AF Version”

Rockstar & Elise just dropped a cover of Taylor Swift’s “Cruel Summer”, and honestly, it’s the moody, synth-soaked anthem my Valentine’s Day playlist didn’t know it needed. Emily AF, the brains behind the project, takes the original’s bittersweet energy and cranks it up with dark, industrial-tinged vibes that hit like a late-night drive through winter streets.

Emily’s vocals are a total knockout, she’s talked about this being a breakthrough moment, and you can hear it, there’s this smoky confidence in her delivery, especially when she leans into the song’s heartbreak lyrics. The production, cooked up in her home studio (Too Dark Studios, which sounds as cool as it is), layers icy synths and gritty textures that make the track feel both nostalgic and fresh.

If you’re into artists who wear their influences like a mixtape (80s pop, indie rock, and shimmer pop), Emily’s your new obsession. With more music on the way and live shows coming soon, Rockstar & Elise is one to watch. Listen to “Cruel Summer – Emily AF Version” right now and while you’re at it, hit follow on her socials, you’ll wanna keep up with whatever she does next.