Local Review: The/Theys – Corduroy Fantasy

The/Theys
Corduroy Fantasy
Self-Released
Street: 05.03.2025
The/Theys = Lofi Girl x Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of the Moon

When it comes to music reviews, I will be the first to say that I use the word “soundscape” quite liberally. However, I feel that no other word better encapsulates my experience of listening to Corduroy Fantasy by The/Theys. 

Corduroy Fantasy is a collection of The/Theys’ live performances from 2023. Self-described as a combination of psychedelic soul, funk, jazz and rock, The/Theys is all about pushing boundaries and experimenting with music. It’s no wonder then that their debut album would be a collection of their live performances – a format that would allow the band to show off their improvisational prowess.  

The band kindly gifted SLUG a copy of their album debut on vinyl. Originally, I was going to write about some of the differences I heard between this physical copy and the streaming version. Unfortunately, while the A side played fairly well, I experienced some technical difficulties with the B side. The sound became wonky and discordant, and having listened to the songs on Spotify, I knew those songs were not supposed to sound like that. 

Despite that minor hiccup, how does the music itself fare? If you want jazzy, lo-fi tunes, then this album has that in spades. There are no lyrics — it’s all about sitting back and letting the music take you where it wants. It is the ambient score to a moody vaporwave video. 

The introductory track “Genesis” lulls you with its steady percussion and soft twinkling guitar. It’s calming and enveloping. The second track “Kite Flyers” is where the more jazzy influences seep in. The piano and bass and guitar play off each other and transform the melody, keeping you immersed in the ever evolving tune. The small addition of background conversations also help with coloring in the mood. “Through the Noise” acts more as an antithesis to its two predecessors. Yes, it is steady, but the underlying bass riff and synth-y buzz throughout the song create the feeling that something is about to happen. “Greenwich” and “Arcane Fire” follow a similar structure, with “Greenwich” lowering your guard before “Arcane Fire” ramps up the energy. 

My favorite track by far though is “Sunset at Moonshine Ranch.” It is one of the songs on the album featuring Ryan Arnold. There is a resonance happening between the two artists that creates a psychedelic sound that washes over you. It is a song that simply asks you to ebb and flow with the melody.

The title track “Corduroy Fantasy” is a much more synth-y ride. Again the rhythmic percussion pulls you in, but the song builds and builds as more instruments come in and out adding their own little flourishes. This is what psychedelic jazz is.

If I can give one piece of advice, it would be to not listen to this album while driving. The calming, lo-fi fuzz does not help you stay alert on the road. No, the optimal listening conditions for this album is a chilly night in a cozy room, sipping some tea and simply surrendering yourself to this hypnotizing soundscape. —Angela Garcia

 

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