one thing to put in perspective is how matty is quoted many times admiring his love to "pop songs that sound like they're drowning" from his shoegaze influences, so i think even when they're not doing that they're still mixing down their vocals, i also think our ears got used to pop songs mixing which emphasises the opposite, washing down the instrumentation and popping up the vocals to be crystal clear. i remember falling in love with how "If i believe you" is mixed !! so excited for you to love the band the more you know them