Sorry, but anyone whose real name is Wouter "Wally" De Backer is A-OK in our book. Known to his fans as Gotye, Wouter De Backer is just about one of the coolest artists we've come across in a hot second. His style is almost hard to define -- we could say indie folk, we could say indie pop; we could say indie alternative, but what we really wanna say is that it's just pretty effing amazing.
Born in Belgium, Gotye's parent's moved him to Australia when he was just 2 years old, and it was there that De Backer found his passion for music. He took up the piano and drums, and formed several bands while in high school. Continually fostered and supported by his parents, Gotye later experimented with tons of new sounds and eventually nailed down the signature style that has made him one of Australia's most promising exports.
Unsurprisingly, Gotye's current album, Making Mirrors, is causing quite a stir both Down Under and in the States. The standout track, "Somebody That I Used To Know," is a painfully beautiful song (and video) featuring Kiwi artist Kimbra that speaks to all the crap we have to go through after a tough breakup. We're not the only ones obsessed with this song either: "Somebody That I Used To Know" has received mad celeb endorsements including shout-outs from Ashton Kutcher, who tweeted about the video, "This is kinda fantastic," and Lily Allen, who also sang the song's praises.
"Somebody That I Used To Know" is featured on Gotye's latest album Making Mirrors, out now via Eleven Music.
+ Watch Gotye's "Somebody That I Used To Know" and hear more of Gotye's tunes on his Facebook page.