Gotye’s 3rd full-length album, Making Mirrors, gives listeners more reason than ever to proclaim the talents of creative force Wouter “Wally” De Backer. Even so, the Australian waves from the album’s first single, “Eyes Wide Open,” didn’t resonate in the U.S., despite its driving rhythm and atmospheric slide guitar. On the other hand, it’s second, “Somebody That I Used to Know,” featuring the vocally adept Kimbra, inspired a tsunami across the oceans. The track has an addictive sound that merits at least 3 re-listens before you can move on into to the other experimental, percussion heavy, sample-filled tracks. The third track features the Winton Musical Fence, an Australian artist’s creation De Backer stumbled upon during a tour with his three-piece ensemble, The Basics.
The first half of the album has an upbeat, excited feel, with track 6, “I Feel Better” standing out, while recalling the sound of “Learnalilgivinlovin'” from Gotye’s previous Like Drawing Blood (2006). The song has a soulful melody, and parts sound like they were recorded from radio onto cassette before they ever made it to the master track. Not to mention the sugary flavor it leaves on the auditory palette with lyrics like, “that’s when you gave me a reason/to make me smile again/I only have to see you and then/I feel better.”
“In Your Light” continues that cheerful tone, before track 8, “State of the Art” highlights Gotye’s amazing capability of having myriad genres on one album and making them mesh. Perfectly. You are left asking yourself, “How can he use a slide guitar and country twang, follow it with 60’s soul, and then use a vocoder over reggae beats?” Though I don’t have an answer, I can say that Gotye somehow makes all of these diverse musical children sit on their best behavior in the front pew on Sunday. He slows the pace of the album down a tad, transitioning into “Don’t Worry We’ll Be Watching You,” which also features reggae-esque riffs in the background, with airy, distant vocals covering them over fun, electronic drum beats.
The album picks it back up with “Save Me,” utilizing delightful handclaps and impressive vocal octave leaps in lead singer Wally de Backer’s expansive voice, before he finishes it off with “Bronte,” a soothing, yet sad closer. “We will be with you/oh/we will be with you/no/you will stay with us,” De Backer croons. With any luck, Gotye’s recent U.S. success are signs the band will be with us for future endeavors, as his records prove to be reliably unique and amazing.
