John Vanderslice’s current album Romanian Names – his first on Dead Oceans – is exceptionally well crafted, melodic with mellow songs that are both subtle and lush resulting sing-along choruses, both memorable and expansive. Characteristically, Vanderslice’s music is hyper-literate, thoughtful, and intricately layered with his warbly vocals and warm, lo-fi tone. This time around Vanderslice composes short, quickly paced melodic songs that incorporate flutes, clarinets, saxophones, marimba, viola, and the Swedish nyckelharpa. Again, produced by longtime collaborator Scott Solter.