Paul Corley: Disquiet

Paul Corley is the latest addition to Bedroom Community’s tightly knit roster. If you are familiar with their output, then you should have a ballpark idea of where this release is coming from musically. More specifically, ‘Disquiet’ is a soft, minimal mix of piano plinkery and “found” sounds.
It occupies an odd sonic space. It feels “low” in the speakers. This evokes a sensation of being trapped under the floorboards. It seems almost nightmarish (much like its title might suggest), but it fails to force a blood-curdling scream from the listener. In a way it evokes the sensation of being trapped in a dream, with no control. However, like most dreams, it therefore gives the sensation of detachment also.
So, on one hand it satisfies the intellect insofar that it is cleverly composed, yet on the other it fails to sate the passions. It does not get me rigid. It is just too calm and measured. It creates anxiety, yes. But it is more akin to needing a poo and not being urgently pressed (with acceptable lavatory facilities nearby) than being struck by a vicious bout of diarrhoea whilst on a roller coaster. And really, which incident is most likely to stick with you?