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The chord progression in the bridge of Kali Uchis’ “After The Storm” consists of two alternating chords, Amaj7 and Dmaj7, played repeatedly. This progression is simple yet effective, creating a smooth and mellow atmosphere that matches well with the song’s overall neo-soul and R&B vibe. The arrangement is in the key of A Major and has a diatonic structure without any borrowed chords.

The chord progression in Kali Uchis’ “Loner” features a mix of major, minor, and augmented chords, which contributes to the song’s unique sound and emotional depth. The progression has an unconventional and intriguing quality, while still maintaining a sense of harmonic coherence.

“Within You Without You” from The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band album, composed by George Harrison, is a unique song in the Beatles’ discography. Musically, it truly merges the essence of Indian classical music with traditional Western music techniques. The chord progression is minimal and largely stays around the key of C major, which enhances the song’s drone-like effect, typical in traditional Indian music.

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“Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word” is a song by Elton John written in the key of G major. However, the tonal center of this song fluctuates between G major and its relative minor, Em. Sensitive to the modality of the melody, Elton incorporates “color” via his diverse chord selections. The harmonic movement in this song is richly chromatic, creating a sense of tension and release that intensifies the melancholic aura of the lyrics.

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“Island in the Sun” by Weezer is a popular song that features a simple and catchy chord progression. The intro progression creates a pleasant and comforting atmosphere, and it sets up the laid-back, summer vibe of the song. The chords are primarily diatonic to the key of G major, except for the borrowed chord from the parallel minor. The progression is quite common in pop and rock music, and it shares similarities with other famous songs.

Kali Uchis – After The Storm – Intro

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Chord Progression

Am7, Bm7, Eaug, Am7, Bm7, Eaug

Chord Progression Analysis

“`
Am7 (vi7)
Bm7 (vii7/ii)
Eaug (V+ of ii)
Am7 (vi7)
Bm7 (vii7/ii)
Eaug (V+ of ii)
“`

Similar Chord Progressions

1. Stevie Wonder – “Ribbon in the Sky”
Chord progression:
“`
Em7 (ii7)
F#m7 (iii7)
B7 (V7/IV)
Em7 (ii7)
F#m7 (iii7)
B7 (V7/IV)
“`

2. D’Angelo – “Untitled (How Does It Feel)”
Chord progression:
“`
Bbmaj7 (I)
Am7 (vii7)
D7 (V/ii)
Gm7 (ii7)
C7 (V7)
Fmaj7 (IV)
Fm7 (iv7)
Bb7 (V7)
“`

Musical Analysis

The intro starts with an Am7 chord, which functions as the vi7 in the key of C Major. Following that, we have a Bm7 chord, which is a borrowed chord, functioning as a secondary dominant’s (E7) subdominant chord (vii7/ii) that wants to resolve to E7, but instead we find an Eaug chord. This chord can be seen as V+ of ii, which augments the 5th of the E chord, creating tension and a sense of anticipation. The progression then repeats itself.

Am7 provides a smooth, relaxed atmosphere as it is part of the diatonic chords in C major. The Bm7 and Eaug chords introduce chromaticism and a sense of tension, which adds interest to the harmony. This tension resolves back to Am7, providing a sense of balance in the progression.

Overall Analysis

The chord progression in the intro of “After the Storm” by Kali Uchis showcases a mix of diatonic and chromatic movements, borrowing elements from jazz and R&B. The use of 7th chords and an augmented chord suggests a harmonically rich and colorful tonality, creating an intriguing atmosphere that captures the listener’s attention.

Style Analysis

This progression showcases elements of jazz and R&B, as mentioned earlier. The use of 7th chords is common in both styles, with jazz being known for complex harmonies and extended chords, and R&B sometimes borrowing from jazz to spice up its harmony. The chromatic movement and the borrowed chords enhance the overall richness of the harmony, which is characteristic of these two styles.

Chords in the Intro section of After The Storm by Kali Uchis are:

Am7, Bm7, Eaug, Am7, Bm7, Eaug