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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 verse of “Telepatia” by Kali Uchis showcases a mix of diatonic and chromatic harmony. The progression is built around the key of G Major and has a strong Latin and jazz-influenced sound. The use of extended chords like Gmaj7 and Em9 adds depth and sophistication to the harmony, while the non-diatonic B7 contributes to the tension and resolution.

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Looking at the entire song and isolating the verse, the chord progression provided shows a rock style often seen in Queens of the Stone Age compositions. The harmonic language of this song and its progression style fall within the realm of Pop / Rock music, with frequent use of minor chords suggesting a somber or introspective mood. On first glance, it appears to contain chords primarily from the key of F# minor, with no obvious borrowings from other keys. However, a closer inspection will allow us to delve deeper into their harmonic function.

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“Don’t Look Back In Anger” uses simple yet effective chord progressions common in pop/rock music. It incorporates both major and minor chords, showing some classic pop sensibilities. The song is situated in the key of C Major. Embedded within this progression are instances of borrowed chords – the E7 for instance, is a secondary dominant, often used to inject a bit of tension and to give strong resolution leading into the next chord.

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“Paint It Black” plays with minor tonality, which isn’t extremely common in rock and roll music of the era. The song is in the key of E minor and uses the chords Em, B, D, G, and A. The verse has an interesting use of harmonies, incorporating the minor i, major V, minor iv, major bIII, and major IV chords.

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