Making Mirrors | ||||
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Studio album by Gotye | ||||
Released | 19 August 2011 | |||
Recorded | 2008–11 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 42:21 | |||
Label | Eleven | |||
Producer | Wally De Backer | |||
Gotye chronology | ||||
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Singles from Making Mirrors | ||||
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Professional ratings | |
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Aggregate scores | |
Source | Rating |
Metacritic | 69/100 |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | |
The Daily Telegraph | |
Entertainment Weekly | B+ |
The Guardian | |
The Independent | |
NME | 5/10 |
Pitchfork | 7.7/10 |
Q | |
Rolling Stone | |
Uncut |
Making Mirrors is the third studio album by Belgian-Australian artist Gotye. The album was released in Australia on 19 August 2011. In December 2011 it was announced that Making Mirrors was voted Triple J listeners' number-one album of 2011, making Gotye the first artist to win the Triple J album poll twice. It included the hit "Somebody That I Used to Know", which reached and topped charts worldwide. In Poland, after one day of release, the album was certified platinum. The album won the 2013 Grammy for Best Alternative Music Album.
The album was largely recorded at a converted studio at Gotye's parents' farm in the Mornington Peninsula.
In mid-October 2010, Gotye released a single titled "Eyes Wide Open", the first track from the album. The single received generally positive reviews and reached #25 in the Triple J Hottest 100 of 2010. In late March 2010, Gotye revealed the album's title, which was inspired by an artwork De Backer chanced upon which was edited to create the album cover art. He claimed, "The mirror reflects on artwork and it is all very related to self-reflection and introspection on the album." Gotye also revealed that the album would see a release in June or July 2011, with a single to precede the release, along with the fact that the album would be similar to its predecessor in terms of diversity. Gotye went on to reveal that the release of the album was delayed for over five months due to the composition and recording of a single track.
On 19 May 2011, it was announced that this album would be released on 19 August 2011, with the album to be launched the following day at the Sydney Opera House as part of the Graphic Festival, with animators and a ten-piece orchestra as part of Gotye's performance. Gotye was also to issue a follow-up single to "Eyes Wide Open" titled "Somebody That I Used to Know", on 11 July 2011. Upon the announcement of the track listing, Gotye also revealed that there would be a DVD accompanying the record which would include music videos and documentaries. However, controversy erupted on 5 July 2011, when the video for the new single, "Somebody That I Used to Know", was leaked online via the Austereo Radio Network's Take 40 website. Later that day, the song was aired for the first time on Triple J with the official stamp of approval from Gotye. Gotye released the single six days early, on 5 July 2011, through iTunes Australia, and his website for international followers.