Gotye, the one-man band

Gotye is the one-man band behind Someone That I Used To Know, this week’s No. 1 selling song in the U.S. of A. from the also sensational album Making Mirrors. The name is pronounced go-ti-yay, which may seem strange at first but self-explanatory when you find out that Gotye is Belgian. His name probably means something in Flemish or is just something he thought of when he decided to become a recording artist.  

Gotye was born Wally de Backer in Belgium but grew up in Australia. This combination was probably what gave him his unique sound that has captured the attention of music lovers in many parts of the world. That includes the Philippines where Someone That I Used To Know, featuring New Zealand singer Kimbra, is a big hit. Gotye’s music can perhaps be described as part-Europop and part-Aussie funk with hints of folk, rock and jazz. Nothing gets music moving better than a new sound. We found this last year in Adele from the UK. This time around, the sound that is ringing in sales belongs to Gotye.

Like his name, Gotye’s sound is also strange. I think I would describe him as fearless because he creates music that is unfettered by convention. He adheres to no rules and simply mixes in anything he wants into his songs. Listen and you will get techno buzzes along with bird sounds in the jungle or heartbeats along with disco turns. The effect on the listener is to be transported to an other-worldly place. I have seen other artists take this freedom route but Gotye is different. Although he is his own man, this guy never comes across as rebellious or stuck up. His songs just flow along in an easy, sexy pace as he explores assorted emotions in his CD.

And what do you know? Gotye also sings quite well. He has this trendy laid-back style that echoes Seal or Peter Gabriel but heard through a megaphone. I told you, the guy is strange. He has already won a few ARIA awards. Those are the Australian Grammys. Maybe he will get a crack at the US kind next year. For now though he is busy selling Making Mirrors and having people wonder who Gotye is and why do they like those sounds he makes.

The first hits out of Making Mirrors are Easy Way Out and Somebody That I Used To Know. I hear Giving Me A Chance and Save Me coming on strong and State Of The Art with its novelty touches might also be a winner. The other songs in the album are Eyes Wide Open, Smoke And Mirrors, I Feel Better, In Your Light, Don’t Worry We’ll Be Watching You and Bronte.

And here is how the Top 20 songs on Billboard Magazine’s Top 100 list look like on this memorable week for Gotye: Somebody That I Used To Know by Gotye; We Are Young by fun featuring Janelle Monae; Glad You Came by The Wanted; What Makes You Beautiful by One Direction; Boyfriend by Justin Bieber; Wild Ones by Flo Rida feat. Sia; Starships by Nicki Minaj; Call Me Maybe by Carly Rae Jepsen; Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You) by Kelly Clarkson; Part Of Me by Katy Perry.

Take Care by Drake feat. Rihanna; Feel So Close by Calvin Harris; Drive By by Train; The Motto by Drake feat. Lil Wayne; Turn Me On by David Guetta feat. Nicki Minaj; So Good by B.o.B.; Set Fire To The Rain by Adele; Ass Back Home by Gym Class Heroes; Young, Wild & Free by Snoop Dogg & Wiz Khalifa feat. Bruno Mars; and Rumour Has It by Adele.

The Top 20 albums are Tuskegee by Lionel Richie; 21 by Adele; Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded by Nicki Minaj; New Life by Monica; Up All Night by One Direction; Slipstream by Bonnie Raitt; Making Mirrors by Gotye; Boys & Girls by Alabama Shakes; Changed by Rascal Flatts;

All American by Hoodie Allen; Underwater Sunshine (Or What We Did Last Summer) by Counting Crows; My Head Is An Animal by Of Monsters And Men; Tailgates & Tanlines by Luke Brian; The Hunger Games: Songs From The Motion Picture by Various Artists; The Strange Case Of… by Halestorm; Phase II by Prince Royce; The Good Life by Trip Lee; MDNA by Madonna; Amaryllis by Shinedown; and Some Nights by fun.