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“Electric Feel” by MGMT is a funky and psychedelic pop song with an infectious groove and memorable hooks. The chorus consists of a chord progression that features a variety of diatonic chords along with a borrowed chord from the parallel minor key. The progression is based around oscillations between minor and major tonalities, which adds a sense of tension and release. This, combined with the rhythmic syncopation and psychedelic production, contributes to the iconic and unique character of the song.

The chord progression in the verse of “When You Die” by MGMT can be analyzed as a blend of traditional diatonic harmony and chromaticism. The song is in the key of G major with elements of modal interchange and a brief modulation to the relative minor key, E minor. The progression features a mix of both major and minor chords and gives the piece a sense of melancholy and uncertainty.

The outro of “Kashmir” by Led Zeppelin features a simple alternating chord progression between G major and A major, which creates tension by avoiding a resolution to the tonic or dominant chords. This makes the progression sound unstable, yet well defined as it repeats. The recurring ascending motion creates a sense of lift throughout the outro, while the lack of a true resolution maintains a feeling of unease. This progression is notable for its simplicity, as well as how it invokes a modal sound that is characteristic of the mixolydian mode often used in rock music.

“Set Fire To The Rain” is a song that largely follows the conventions of pop music, with its simple and repetitive chord progressions echoing those in many similar genres. The chord progression observed in the Outro is primarily a combination of minor and major chords that provide a melancholic and intense undertone to the song’s overall theme. The song is in the key of A minor and the chord progression in the Outro starts on the key’s root chord (‘Am’).

“Paper Tiger” by Beck is a song from his album “Sea Change,” released in 2002. The style of this song is primarily alternative rock, with elements of psychedelia and baroque pop. The outro of “Paper Tiger” features a simple chord progression of E, E7, and Bm, with interesting harmonic techniques, such as secondary dominants and borrowed chords.

MGMT – Electric Feel – Outro

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Chord Progression

Am7, Em, F, G, Em, F, Am7, Em, F, G, Em, F, Am7, Em, F, G, Em, F

Chord Progression Analysis

Am7 (iv7), Em (i), F (♭II), G (III), Em (i), F (♭II), Am7 (iv7), Em (i), F (♭II), G (III), Em (i), F (♭II), Am7 (iv7), Em (i), F (♭II), G (III), Em (i), F (♭II)

“`Borrowed Chord: F (♭II)“`

Similar Chord Progressions

1. Tame Impala – “Elephant”
Chord Progression: Cm7 (iv7), Gm (i), A♭ (♭II), B♭ (III), Gm (i), A♭ (♭II)

2. The Beatles – “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”
Chord Progression: Am (iv), Em (i), F♯m (♭II), G (III), Em (i), F♯m (♭II)

These songs also feature chord progressions that include both diatonic and borrowed chords to create a similar sense of tension and intrigue. They also incorporate elements of psychedelic music, making them stylistically similar to “Electric Feel.”

Musical Analysis

The chord progression starts with the Am7 (iv7) that creates a sense of tension, resolving to Em (i). The borrowed chord F (♭II) gives the progression an intriguing quality by breaking the pattern of diatonic chords. This is followed by G (III), providing a feel of movement before returning to the tonic, Em (i). The outro continues alternating between the F (♭II) borrowed chord and the diatonic G (III) chord, maintaining the unique tension throughout the outro.

Overall Analysis

The chord progression of MGMT’s “Electric Feel” outro is in E Minor, and it features a combination of diatonic chords and a borrowed chord from the parallel major key. The progression creates a sense of tension and resolution, giving the outro a captivating and memorable quality. The song itself is a psychedelic, funk-infused electro-pop track, which enhances the trippy, mesmerizing vibe of the progression.

Style Analysis

“Electric Feel” is an electro-pop song with strong influences from funk and psychedelic music. The chord progression in the outro, with its mix of diatonic and borrowed chords, reflects this style by evoking a sense of surprise, anticipation, and a dreamy, otherworldly atmosphere. The arrangement’s use of synthesizers, rhythmic guitar patterns, and smooth vocal harmonies also contribute to the song’s genre-blending sound.

Chords in the Outro section of Electric Feel by MGMT are:

Am7, Em, F, G, Em, F, Am7, Em, F, G, Em, F, Am7, Em, F, G, Em, F