The Belgian-born Australian singer, songwriter, and musician Wouter De Backer goes by Gotye, the French translation of his name. Yet despite his adopted Frenchness, the multi-talented artist is immensely popular down under, and Making Mirrors, the singer’s recently released third album, was voted the number one album by listeners of Triple J, Australia’s renowned radio station. With a soulful, ‘60s-style pop vibe featuring simple, poignant lyrics accompanied by a diverse amalgam of instruments—from trumpets and wineglasses to guitars and bells—this album is a standout, and a breath of fresh air, in the current pop scene.
The album opens with titular track “Making Mirrors,” a one-minute number that sets the tone of the LP with soft, haunting lyrics. While it provides a good introduction, delving further into the album reveals that, as compared to other tracks, the album’s short namesake is relatively forgettable.
“Somebody I Used To Know,” by contrast, is the album’s obvious show stealer. A duet with New Zealand vocalist Kimbra, the striking song earned international success and is currently at number 20 on the iTunes Top 100 songs chart. Understated vocals leave room for quivering pizzicato strings, suddenly giving forth to an energized chorus.
“Eyes Wide Open” departs from the ethereal sound, providing bolder, more distinctive melodies. The song also reflects Gotye’s talent and innovation by incorporating sounds from the Winton Musical Fence, a major tourist attraction in Australia that links fence posts with tuned strings so that passersby can strike up a spontaneous song. Despite the kitschy idea, Gotye aptly blends the strings into the song’s background, keeping them from overpowering the vocals.
Since a purely ‘60s feel can get a little monotonous, Gotye mixes it up in “I Feel Better,” with some hints of Motown and a new, upbeat rhythm. “In Your Light” and “Save Me” offer similar unconventional yet up-tempo beats, before the album rounds out with “Bronte” and “Giving Me A Chance,” which conclude on a moving, reflective note.
Together, the songs of Making Mirrors create a cohesive bohemian sound. Though each one is different, they blend together well and complement each other with a shared style reminiscent of Peter Gabriel, Mika, and The Beatles. Gotye expertly explores self-reflection in his lyrics, while simultaneously experimenting with unique melodies that complement the vocals. And despite carrying what could be labeled hipster undertones—the retro Australian artist skirts mainstream instruments, incorporating the sounds of fence wires into his songs—Making Mirrors remains authentic, and offers a nice break from mainstream cookie-cutter pop songs.
Voice’s Choice: “I Feel Better”
