 The track was recorded between January and May 2011 with Gotye struggling to find a suitable female vocalist , as a " ' high profile ' female vocalist " cancelled the collaboration at the last minute , and Kimbra " lucked out as the replacement " . He tested his girlfriend , Tash Parker , but " somehow their happiness meant that it didn 't work out " so he followed the recommendation of the song 's mixer and used Kimbra 's vocals . Martin Davies from Click Music considered the song " instantly captivating " , and named Kimbra 's voice " clean and sugar @-@ soaked " , further commenting that it bears an " uncanny resemblance " to singer Katy Perry . 
