One part Scotsman, one part electronic, and four parts amazing, that’s the recipe for another great artist on Skean Dhu Records, The Ansion. Although relatively unknown for his previous releases, Jon Innes’s latest release, That is the Way of Things, ensures that we will hear a lot more about The Ansion in years to come. Innes’s influences are evident, varying, and undisguised throughout the course of the album, ranging from M83 to Eluvium. However, The Ansion is not just another electronic project; the album shows Innes’ complete mastery of music and the way he’s able to fabricate an organic sound by overlapping sounds which, in any other context, would seem grungy and rough.

To kick off the record, “Introduction Part B” submerges the listener in a sea of awe by melding together intense, fast-pace beats and bringing the listener into the right state of mind to properly enjoy and get the most out of the album. The next track, "Alex Lowell is My Terminator" skillfully balances electronic beats and live guitar playing. The guitar gradually increases in the mix and the beats die down. This winding down is a perfect segue into  “The Way You Always Fall Asleep Before I Do,” which changes pace and introduces an ambient feel to the album. Along with the introduction of a slower form of music, the listeners’ mindset is forcibly changed, initiating somber and placid thoughts.

“Die You Big Fuck Off Spider. Die” not only displays Innes’s creativity in naming tracks, but also his skill with the production of music. The whole track could very easily be one of Ulrich Schnauss singles, as Innes is able to take a basic ambience and build upon it with rapid, yet tranquil, digital beats. “I Am Afraid of You. What Are You Afraid Of?” is yet again another song for the listener just to get lost inside. The track has a unique sound to it, one which is slow and mesmerizing enough to evoke thought but also fast enough to induce bouncing, yet again showing the mastery that is The Ansion.

Any Star Wars fan probably noticed the title of the release (and probably got a laugh thinking about Yoda saying it), and to continue with the Star Wars motif, “Three - Two – Seven” is an epic track which is perfectly suited for the scene in Star Wars: Episode IV where the Millennium Falcon landed on the first Death Star. As the track progresses, it becomes a divine and intense anthem that sums up the overall feel of the album. “10.07.2005” closes off the musical journey, including a piano aided by electronic beats and distorted voices, sealing the deal and leaving the listener speechless and overwhelmed at how well crafted the entire album is.

That is the Way of Things is great because of the various aspects that accompany each track, and Innes ability  to change pace and introduce new types of tracks as the album progresses. Because of the  arrangement of the album, each listen presents new and previously unnoticed musical gems, ensuring that this release will be played over and over. Even the outtakes from the recording sessions, separately released and titled A Day Late and a Dollar Short, are comely and radiant. The Ansion is a unique listening experience which cannot be done justice in words. We tip our hats to Mr. Innes.

-Erich Meister