Lorde Covers Kanye West's 'Flashing Lights' and Doesn't Disappoint

Even Yeezus himself would approve.

lorde kanye west
(Image credit: Archives)

Lorde has taken us back, way back, to an era we like to refer to as B.Y. — that's Before Yeezus.

During her Pure Heroine tour's three-night stint in New York City, the songstress performed 'Flashing Lights,' the fourth single off of West's 2007 album Graduation. In terms of composition, it's no surprise Lorde was attracted to the number with it's electronic-flavored hip hop and string instrumentals, hard-hitting lyrics, and Dwele's soaring R&B vocals on the hook.

Her rendition, albeit short, was truly mind-blowing as told by one roaring, hard-to-please New York crowd. It was a worthy intro to her equally stirring number Bravado — which she has in spades, we might add — and an homage to West that might even warrant praise from the himself. In the past she's cited the rapper as an influence and covered his newer track 'Hold My Liquor' live.

Naturally, we can't help but wonder if collaboration lies in the future for Lorde and West. Sure, there's a line around block of artists waiting to jump on the Yeezus train, but if we know one thing about West, it's that he only enjoys fellow, prodigiously talented company. In that sense, Lorde is a shoo-in, so, consider our breath held. Watch her rousing re-imagination of the orchestral track, which she originally performed during the tour's kick-off in Philadelphia, below:

Update: According to Page Six, sources say that West is about to start recording with Lorde. Oh to be a fly on the recording studio wall!

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Lauren Valenti
Beauty Editor

Lauren is the former beauty editor at Marie Claire. She love to while away the hours at coffee shops, hunt for vintage clothes, and bask in the rough-and-tumble beauty of NYC. She firmly believes that solitude can be a luxury if you’ve got the right soundtrack—that being the Rolling Stones, of course.