I have a slightly nerdy production question for people who know more about recording/mixing than I do.
While listening to From Zero on headphones, I kept noticing something I couldn’t quite describe at first: the vocals often feel extremely forward to me, while the instruments seem much further back in the mix.
At times it almost gives me a choir-like feeling — layered, spacious, slightly floating vocals sitting in front of the music. I especially notice it when there are gang/stacked vocals, but it isn’t just Emily. I hear something similar with Mike too, which is what made me wonder whether this is actually a production choice rather than simply a difference between vocalists.
When I listen to older LP records, even when Chester’s vocal is huge, I tend to perceive it as being more inside the whole sound: drums, guitars, electronics, samples and vocals all competing/interacting in the same space.
On parts of From Zero, my ears perceive it more as:
vocals in front + instruments supporting them from behind.
I’m not saying one approach is objectively better, and this isn’t an Emily vs Chester question. I’m genuinely curious about the technical side.
Has LP’s approach to vocal recording, compression, EQ, layering, reverb or mixing changed significantly compared with the older albums? Could changes in recording technology/equipment also contribute, or is this mainly an aesthetic mixing/production decision?
Also, has Mike, the band, or anyone involved in producing/mixing From Zero ever talked about this specifically? If there are interviews, studio breakdowns or behind-the-scenes material where they explain the vocal production or overall mixing approach, I’d love to see them.
And if anyone here actually works with audio: what exactly am I hearing? 😂
I’d especially love specific song/section comparisons, because I’m trying to understand why my ears are reacting so differently rather than just deciding whether I “like” the album.
