Milad Mardakheh shares ‘Random Walks’ album

Milad Mardakheh is an Iranian composer, sound artist and researcher whose creative output spans a wide array of musical genres and technological explorations. Based in the UK, his background is as unique as the music he makes. He began his academic journey with a degree in computer engineering, later transitioning into music composition, where he earned his degree from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and a PhD in Composition from the University of Birmingham.

His doctoral thesis, which focused on the sonification of cancer research data, reflects his unique approach to blending science, computing and music. Over the past 15 years, he’s applied his musical talents to the spheres of rock, metal, film scores, modern classical, acousmatic and experimental electronic music. Currently, Mardakheh lectures in Electronic Music Composition and Creative Music Technology at Goldsmiths, University of London and the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.

Bringing us perhaps the best example of his creativity and experimental flair, he shares his recent record, the aptly titled Random Walks, released via the Zabte Sote imprint. The album is a seven-track exploration of the intersections between improvisation, computer-generated randomness and Persian classical music. This work stands as an incredible representation of his creative vision, showcasing his ability to merge the worlds of algorithmic computer music with the modal traditions of Persian classical music.

The release presents a fascinating juxtaposition of seemingly disparate elements; the cold, calculated nature of algorithmic composition and the warm, humanistic qualities of traditional Persian music. He achieves this blend by writing most of the album in SuperCollider, a platform for audio synthesis and algorithmic composition, allowing him to introduce elements of randomness and improvisation, giving the music an ever-evolving quality. The tracks on Random Walks vary between fully-improvised and semi-improvised compositions, creating a sense of spontaneity and fluidity that is rare in the often rigid format of modern electronic music.

Opened by “Improvisation in Rāst Panjgāh,” the record starts off with ringing tones which slowly come into focus before giving way to alternating patterns of warbling textures and bright, flute-light dashes. Developing with the chiming buzz of mechanical noises, the track flows into a kaleidoscopic world of random noises that appear chosen without method, perfectly distilling the artist’s approach to the project.

Title-track “Random Walk” arrives with the flutter of zaps before the crisp taps of bell tones takes the lead space in the mix. Taking abrupt twists and turns, the piece progresses with bubbling synth textures dance around the arrangement, peppered with vocal samples that become increasingly pitched and processed.

“Capricious” offers a dreamy melodic scene of playful lead tonal flourishes, joined by the atmosphere of varying noises and textures. Threading the bright melodic xylophone-line leads throughout the track as the finale swells with the ominous drone and sudden drop off of rising sonic textures, it’s another superb demonstration of the artist’s intent to capture deliberate performance with computer randomness.

Other highlights on the record include songs like “AlgoDashti” with its soft patter of synth lines gently modulating and moving around the sonic field. Developing with the intensity of angular computer generated sounds, the composition ebbs and flows like lapping waves, bending between moments of dreamy musical bliss and harsh sonic aesthetics.

Final track “Improvisation in Šur” sees Milad Mardakheh craft an expansive listening experience of over twelve minutes in length that takes the listener on a thought-provoking journey to the depths of his creativity. Folding various tones and moods across the composition that flows from mesmeric pulsations to rattling mechanical sounds, it’s a spectacular finale to a groundbreaking release that strides up to the fringes of the explored musical map and takes a daring step into the unknown.

Listen to Random Walks below