Motherboard March 2023: Indirect Methods

by Frank P. Eckert

As a closing note, here's a late entry from the always provocative Chris Korda: Indirect Methods (Kevorkian Records, released in November 2022) brings together algorithmic compositions wrapped in a sound that, at least on the surface, could be described as neoclassical, produced using Korda’s polymeter MIDI protocol, developed and established in recent years. This method of sequencing and algorithmic control (at least according to the Motherboard columnist who admits to having limited musicological and production expertise) systematically introduces subtle deviations from metric and chromatic norms, shifting the melodic phrases of piano and synthetic strings in minimal increments. As a result, the independently looping musical elements repeatedly drift apart and nearly re-converge, though never fully aligning. The music achieves exactly that balance between consonance and dissonance necessary to create a gently tense flow, a slightly inclined harmonic beauty, bringing its elemental rhythmic and melodic units into a context reminiscent of neoclassical ambient—only far more intriguing.

The preceding is a translation. The original language is here.