Mayer Hawthorne Funks Up Lorde’s “Royals”: Watch His Smooth Cover

Mike Wass | October 4, 2013 2:52 pm

Mayer Hawthorne tackled Lorde‘s chart-topping hit “Royals” for VEVO’s increasingly enjoyable Unexpected Covers video series — transforming the 16-year-old’s jittery hip-hop/electro concoction into a smooth soul song custom-made for repeat play after midnight.

The ease with which the track makes the genre transition is a testament to Lorde’s songwriting skills and Mayer’s crushed-velvet vocals. He makes the song his own, injecting it with longing and melancholy. New Zealand’s biggest export didn’t approve of Selena Gomez‘s version but I suspect this will be more to her liking. Watch up top.

Did Mayer hit it out of the park? Have your say in the comments below.