For Ohly, life’s most impactful moments are more visible in hindsight.

Through that lens, the Detroit indie-folk singer-songwriter recounts memorable tales of loss, love and growth on his latest album, Miracle.

“There’s a lot of introspection on different relationships—family, friends and some romance in there. A lot of it covers loss and the songs poured out of me after I experienced that loss. There are also some more playful and happier songs that were crafted,” said Christian Ohly about his third release via Bird Fight Records.

“Somebody asked me if the songs were more recent or if they cover most of my life, and I realized some of those songs talk about when I was five and six, then 12 and 13 and stuff that happened last year.”

Each track on Miracle transcends space and time as Ohly weaves vivid recollections of people, places and experiences. Whether it’s spending time with Annie, Julia or a sibling or venturing to Paris, Colorado or California, the album functions as an emotive travelogue that instantly connects with listeners.

“The last few years, I’ve really wanted to travel, and I thought about being able to do it when I was in high school … and then having a job and having some time off and also wanting to play music in some different places,” said Ohly, who’s inspired by James Taylor and Christian Lee Hutson.

“So many of the songwriters that I listen to and have been inspired by use very specific places, details and people. While listening to the whole thing and doing more introspection on the final project I was like, ‘Man, there sure are a lot of names and places in here I did not realize when I was recording [it].’”

The Short and Long of ‘Miracle’

Those descriptive elements allow listeners to thoroughly digest Miracle’s 14 concise tracks, which feature sentimental lyrics and heartwarming instrumentation filled with folk, pop and jazz influences.

“John [Katona] and I both like shorter songs and they kind of just turned out that way. There were a couple where I thought, ‘Hey, maybe this one should have an instrumental at the end or a bridge,’” said Ohly about working with his longtime co-producer.

“And I remember John saying, ‘No, this doesn’t need an instrumental; let’s just leave it. You already have two verses and two choruses in two minutes; let’s not stretch it. Let’s make people want to listen to it again.’ John just kinda pushed me to leave it out, and I was happy to do that. I do like a lot of artists who have short one- to two-minute songs.”

While most of Miracle’s tracks range from two to three minutes in length, others go beyond that to leave a lasting impact. At over four minutes long, the vulnerable ballad “R&P” tries to make sense of “why tragedy happens” when the young lives of River and Piper are lost.

Comforting strings, piano and electric guitar soothe a loved one’s prolonged grief as Ohly sings, “When you cry / I can hear it / When you feel / You can show it / It’s OK not to know it / When you don’t.”

“It was a painful experience for me and even more so for the people who had [experienced] the loss directly,” he said. “That was one of the songs that just kind of came out of me because this tragedy occurred, and there are a few of those on the record.”

After mourning a loss on “R&P,” Ohly celebrates the early scenes of a budding relationship on “Knuckles.” The thoughtful track also references the idiosyncrasies discovered about “Annie” during the relationship’s honeymoon phase.

Alongside grateful piano and acoustic guitar, he sings, “We were walking through Hamtramck eating shitty tacos / And you asked to hold my hand / Just so you could crack my knuckles / Yeah, I like your little quirks, the way you tug at my shirt / And how you’re always taking trips / And you never wash your denim.”

“I wrote that after I saw James Taylor live for the first time; and it was summertime, and I had that vocal melody in my head and that walking guitar part. Then I tried pulling some details from the last few years of my life,” Ohly said.

“It’s funny because that song pulls memories from a handful of times from romantic relationships and platonic friendships and different quirks that people have. It’s also things that have stuck with me that I observed and thought were interesting to tell a story.”

Ohly tells another poignant story on “Change,” which reflects on the stability of family and friends amidst life’s uncertainties.

Backed by folky acoustic guitar, he sings, “And I knew the truth / If at the end of my days / All I have is you / If my accomplishments have all been torn into / I don’t mind as long as I know I’ve got you.”

“Thinking back on those memories, there were definitely some times that I was feeling that gratitude, and I gotta remember to remind myself of that whenever I can,” Ohly said.

“I feel I’m continuing to mature, and I’m 26 now. I’ve just been thinking back on those good times during the darker days and remembering that those moments will pass.”

In addition to “Change,” Ohly displays moments of growth on “Pistons,” a nostalgic ode to youthful adventures, childhood friendships and basement hangouts. It also pays tribute to seeing Detroit Pistons games at the old Palace of Auburn Hills.

Fueled by driving electric guitar and drums, he sings, “But I am fine / I haven’t folded / Just gotta keep looking where I’m going / Man, I don’t know / I might be nowhere / Just gotta keep looking where I’m going.”

“This was one of those where I dove into some friendships from middle school and high school and thought about some good memories … and then [thought] about those people a few years down the road when you’re in your 20s and in the workforce,” Ohly said.

“Things just aren’t as easy; you have a lot more weight on your shoulders, but you’re just trying to remember to press ahead and know that things will be OK. You just have to keep putting one foot in front of the other.”

Finally, Ohly shines on the divine title track, which honors his late father and the cherished memories of him that remain. Alongside hopeful acoustic guitar, he sings, “You’re a miracle / Clothed in marigold / Safe inside his fold / Walking streets of gold / You’re our miracle.”

“It helped me express how I was feeling, and again, got some of those feelings out there … and that’s another one of the songs that I didn’t really have to craft or work for,” Ohly said. “It was just me in my rawest form.”

From JK (Not Kidding Studios) to El Club

In fact, some of Ohly’s tracks for Miracle go back several years while others were written last summer.

“Some of the songs are close to four or five years old, and I wrote the song ‘Wintertime’ in 2018. It started out as just an acoustic song that felt like one of the more ‘adolescent’ songs I was writing [at the time], and then I started bringing this drumbeat into it,” he said.

“Others are new … in June 2022, I wrote four more songs and thought they should be added to the album.”

Ohly worked with producer John Katona and co-producer Tom Mihalis to record Miracle at JK (Not Kidding) Studios from June 2021 to October 2022. He had previously collaborated with both on 2021’s Landlines and 2017’s Ohly EP.

“I think it was the most developed recording process for John, Tom and me all working together. They had both done projects of mine in the past … and I had learned so much over the recording process of this album,” Ohly said.

“They knew the songs were written by a more experienced songwriter, and we were more critical of songs that should make the cut or should not. I think we started recording 20 songs and six of them we decided not to put on the record.”

In addition to working with Katona (synthesizer) and Mihalis (electric guitar), Ohly assembled a team of all-star collaborators for the album, including Jimmy Showers (electric guitar), Paul Vultaggio (electric guitar), Ian Lukas (bass, upright bass, vocals), Matt Jones (bass), Sean MacKillop (keys), Andrew Solway (keys), Brodie Glaza (drums), Ryan McMahon (drums), Chris Stewart (drums), Bryan Pope (string arrangements), Carla Rivers-Johnson (violin), Ashley Nelson (violin), Nensi Bakiu (viola), Jasmine James (cello), Adam Reese (saxophone), Pia Roa (vocals), Steve Davis (vocals, co-writer on “Black Mirror”) and Cassidy Chaison (vocals).

“I would have never been able to do anything like that four years ago when I was just getting to know Detroit artists and musicians,” he said.

“It was definitely one of my favorite pieces of being able to pull friends and musicians from the community that I’ve gotten into and ask them to come play on the songs.”

Ohly also will bring some of those musicians to his Sept. 8 album release show at Detroit’s El Club. Showers (guitar), Mihalis (guitar), Lukas (bass), Reese (saxophone) and Roa (vocals) will join him on stage along with Colin Takata (guitar), Jade Lamb (vocals), Erin Boos (vocals) and Dylyn Cady (drums). Detroit’s Hala and Jackamo will open the show.

“It’s a huge band with some rotating people,” Ohly said. “I wanted to give everybody who’s been a core part of Ohly over the years and who’s volunteered their time and effort … a chance to come play on the stage.”

During their time on stage, Ohly and the band will perform Miracle in its entirety.

“We’re gonna do it in order, and everybody in the band is super excited that they get to play an album all the way through, especially in today’s age when albums aren’t as common,” he said.

“If there are any fans out there, they’ll be able to predict which song comes next. I love to do that if I’m going to see a band, and I know their album well.”

After the album release show, Ohly will embark on a short tour later this year and early next year, including weekend performances throughout the region.

“I have about eight or 10 shows booked for the fall and winter, and I want to book one or two more, but it’s a challenge with a day job and a local big headlining show,” he said.

“So much of my energy is going into this El Club show, but I’m excited. I’m staying positive and happy I can get the experience of doing a little tour because it’s something I’ve thought about for a long time.”

Show details:

Ohly album release show with Hala & Jackamo

Friday, Sept. 8 | 7 p.m.

El Club, 4114 W. Vernor Highway in Detroit

Tickets: $20