You ever heard a carousel organ and thought that its music could be made funky in any way shape or form? Well that’s what kind of occurs in this song. ‘Iowa’ by John Linnell is one of many on his sole solo album State Songs to feature that instrument, and here set’s the track’s tempo with a bouncy introduction that jumps back and forth between high and low notes and carries on the momentum with its infectious rhythm.

‘Iowa’ sees Linnell personify the American state as a witch, forming a silhouette on the moon, flying around on a broom with accompanying conical hat and black cat. All the things you think of when you picture a witch in your mind. Why he chose to write about a witch and associate Iowa with it is anyone’s guess, though it’s definitely one of the most entertaining tracks on there just for that very reason.

I’ve noticed that the song’s production isn’t very busy. Apart from the carousel organ, you’ll hear some echoed clicking percussion along with Linnell’s voice which he keeps in the lower register. It’s all very mild and quite calming to listen to but still very catchy at the same time. It’s just one of those songs where everything you hear is perfectly placed. Nothing too extra and not too sparse. It’s just right. Even the solo from the handheld vacuum cleaner works surprisingly well. One thing is guaranteed from a John Linnell song, you’ll always have a vocal melody that will stick in your mind once upon listen or creep up on you at your unawares. This one did the trick.