I like this digression though... It's interesting that you say that, because as much as I love Rob Ellis I found the debut slightly harsh on the ears in its production. Obviously I'm no expert on the recording process, so I don't really know how to describe what I mean that well. Though it is true that there was great clarity between the instruments on the debut (albeit a bit trebley for my liking), and that was really enjoyable. I do prefer the backing vocals on the debut to the ones on One Breath.
I wonder if the maybe slightly muddy undertones of One Breath are due to Anna's choice of instruments and her evolving sound more than because of John Congleton's choices alone? It seems like there was a lot less going on the debut in terms of the breadth of instruments, and the guitar was sort of the focus of the instrumental work. In that sense I can understand why there are differences between the two albums in their recording. I'd like to know more about the things that bother you about the recording of One Breath, because I feel like you'd be able to explain them better than I can and I'll probably agree with you anyway.
Yes, I agree that the debut sounded a tad harsh. I might be idealizing it because it's probably my favorite album of all time (nothing is set in stone as long as Anna keeps releasing music though, haha), and it's mostly perfect to me, but I really liked that kind of harsh. It had that 60s tube recording grittiness to it. Like, the highest frequencies were crystal clear, but in general it was a tiny bit, hm, dusty? It just sounded completely natural.
It's a great point that there was a different set of instruments used on the debut, and that the importance of those instruments that made an appearance on both records varied as well. Maybe I'm not particularly ecstatic about the changes Anna has made, but don't get me wrong, I think One Breath is a great album. I really appreciate the inclusion of vibraphone and marimba, for instance. It's just my opinion of course, but despite what Anna says, I hear more textures on the first record due to how rich it was in terms of each instrument's tone. Both Anna and Rob Ellis definitely worked very hard in order to shape and emphasize the character of even the tiniest sounds. However, I feel that on One Breath the tone is often lost because of the production. The biggest difference production-wise, I suppose, is the drumming. While it was very clear and majestic on the first album, on One Breath it's just muffled and, I'd even say, marginalized. It doesn't sound rich anymore, nor does it draw my attention in any way. It simply is there, failing to impress me the way it used to. And this is Congleton's doing, because muffled drums seem to be his specialty judging by St. Vincent's two albums. Yes, it was great for her music, but Anna needs the exact opposite in my opinion. Well, I've got many issues with Congleton's work, but these, apart from the atrocious reverbs, are at the top of my list. I just feel One Breath would have been a lot more distinctive (free from restraint in a way) if there had been a more suitable person behind its production. But as I said, this is just my personal impression, and I'm in no way arguing with anyone else's.
edit.
Could this be split into a new thread? I think it's an interesting discussion, but totally off the topic as of now, haha