Tom Warke reviews his Album of the Week…
Australian singer-songwriter Gotye has become a global phenomenon after this single ‘Somebody That I Used to Know’.
The single comes from Goyte’s third album ‘Making Mirrors’ which although was released in August 2011, has come to the forefront due to his single success. Making Mirrors has made Top Ten in a dozen countries and achieved 3 platinum certificates and a gold certificate as well.
Offstage, Gotye is Wally De Backer born in May 1980 in Belgium but moved to Australia when he was young. De Backer released his first studio album in 2003, ‘Boardface’ and then released his second album, ‘Like Drawing Blood’ in 2006.
After the success of ‘Like Drawing Blood’ and nearly a decade making music, De Backer established himself as one of the top male artists and made Melbourne his permanent home where he set up a recording studio. This is where Gotye produced ‘Making Mirrors’ and the hit single ‘Somebody That I Used to Know’.
Although ‘Somebody That I Used to Know’ is the hit single, it is not the only track on the album which excels itself. No two tracks on ‘Making Mirrors’ sound alike, as laidback relaxing song ‘In Your Light’ is completely different to upbeat and catchy song ‘Easy Way Out’.
Gotye’s use of different instruments throughout the album can be seen as part of his musical genius, Turkish drums, West African thumb pianos, and for most of the songs a bass line constructed from samples of an instrument called the Winton Musical Fence are some of the methods Gotye used to create ‘Making Mirrors’.
Making Mirror’s top 10 successes show this album is popular. His YouTube and chart single success can only elevate his reputation in the music industry and at age of 31, Gotye has finally made his big break after years in the background.
My favourite track from the album has to be ‘Easy Way Out’. If it wasn’t for ‘Somebody That I Used to Knows’ internet success, I believe that ‘Easy Way Out’ could be right up there in the charts challenging for the top spot, its catchy beat and chorus makes this song a one to look out for.
Making Mirrors is available to buy on iTunes for £7.99, with individual tracks available for 99p – click on the ad below to buy now.