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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 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.

“The Bullet With Butterfly Wings” by The Smashing Pumpkins essentially revolves around the use of power chords, or 5th chords, to project a raw, grungy intensity. The chord progression (B5, Em, G5), extracted from the second verse of the song, is prominent throughout. The use of power chords results in a composition that doesn’t transpose to a traditional major or minor key, but fits within a modal framework.

“Dead Flowers” by The Rolling Stones, from their album “Sticky Fingers” (1971), features a fairly straightforward repetitive chord progression of D, A, G, D in the verse. The key here is D Major. This common progression falls into a I-V-IV-I pattern known as a “plagal cadence”. It’s a progression which consists of a major key followed by its dominant (V), then its subdominant (IV), taking us back to the tonic (I).

“My Name Is Jonas” by Weezer is a 90s alternative rock song featuring a catchy chord progression and memorable melodies. The verse 2 chord progression consists of a repeated set of chords: C, G, Am, F. This progression is common in popular music and creates a sense of familiarity for the listener. The key is C Major.

Kali Uchis – After The Storm – Verse 2

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Chord Progression

G#m7, A#m7, D#aug, G#m7, A#m7, D#aug, G#m7, A#m7, D#aug, G#m, A#m7, D#aug

Chord Progression Analysis

“`
– G#m7 (i7)
– A#m7 (ii7)
– D#aug (V+)
– G#m7 (i7)
– A#m7 (ii7)
– D#aug (V+)
– G#m7 (i7)
– A#m7 (ii7)
– D#aug (V+)
– G#m (i)
– A#m7 (ii7)
– D#aug (V+)
“`

Similar Chord Progressions

1. D’Angelo – “Untitled (How Does It Feel)”, Chord Progression:
“`
– Am7 (i7)
– Bm7 (ii7)
– Eaug (V+)
– Am7 (i7)
– Bm7 (ii7)
– Eaug (V+)
“`
2. Erykah Badu – “On & On”, Chord Progression:
“`
– Bbm9 (i9)
– Db9 (IV9)
– Bbm9 (i9)
– C7#9 (bIII7#9)
“`
3. Jill Scott – “Golden”, Chord Progression:
“`
– Fmaj7 (I7)
– Gm7 (ii7)
– G#maj7(#5) (VImaj7+5)
– Gm7 (ii7)
“`

Musical Analysis

The progression follows a consistent pattern throughout. With multiple repetitions of i7-ii7-V+, the progression resolves back to the i chord again, resulting in a sense of stability. The use of the i7-ii7 chords (G#m7 and A#m7) adds more color and tension to the harmony than using simple triads would, and the D#aug chord creates an unexpected shift, adding interest to the overall progression. In the second half of the verse, the G#m chord is used instead of G#m7, which reduces the harmonic tension slightly.

Overall Analysis

The chord progression in Verse 2 of Kali Uchis’s “After The Storm” is a mix of diatonic and chromatic chords that create an interesting neo-soul groove. The harmony is primarily based on G# minor, featuring the G#m7 and A#m7 as primary chords, and the D#aug chord adds tension and release within the progression. Additionally, the use of the D#aug chord acts as a chromatic mediant between G#m7 and A#m7.

Style Analysis

Kali Uchis’s “After The Storm” can be classified as a blend of R&B and neo-soul. The chord progression, along with her soothing vocals and the use of lush keyboards, creates a laid-back atmosphere as commonly heard in these styles of music. The choice of utilizing more complex chords like 7ths and augmented chords is a signature characteristic of R&B and neo-soul, which emphasizes a more sophisticated harmonic landscape in their songs.

Chords in the Verse 2 section of After The Storm by Kali Uchis are:

G#m7, A#m7, D#aug, G#m7, A#m7, D#aug, G#m7, A#m7, D#aug, G#m, A#m7, D#aug