Songs: Ohia - Impala

This album by the late, great Ohio songwriter Jason Molina under the moniker Songs: Ohia was originally released in 1998 and is an overlooked lo-fi masterpiece. And with the current zeitgeist appearing keener than ever on the more cerebral forms of Americana and alt-country, its melancholic intimacy and soulful tones are a welcome arrival. The opening cut, 'An Ace Unable to Change', makes beautiful use of organ and sparse drum beats, whilst Molina's voice is on riotous form, channeling the real blues. Another banger, 'Easts Heart Divided', makes use of what sounds like pots n' pans drums and blends it with rugged unpolished bass and vocals. The lo-fi charmingly unfinished aesthetic just makes you want to plug in and play yourself and since art ought to inspire, Molina absolutely nailed it by not overthinking it.