Thread by @miniimonie7, Blue and Grey: a musical analysis This is based on my opinions [...]

Blue and Grey: a musical analysis

This is based on my opinions and my take on blue and grey. There will be some music theory inserted here but you don't have to understand all of it. (cont.)

This analysis is for both musicians and non-musicians to go to a deeper level of understanding of blue and grey's composition. Thank u and enjoy (◍•ᴗ•◍)

The song is in the key of Ab major but surprisingly it doesn't start on the tonic chord ( root chord of the key, Ab major) instead it starts on a subdominant chord / IV chord (4th chord) which is (Db major).

The chord progression (a series of chords played in a sequence) is IV, V, I, IV. (btw these are written in roman numerals) In other words, the chord letters are Db, Ebsus, Eb, Ab, and Db.

The suspension on the V chord resolves to a true V chord. The tension of a suspension, followed by the resolution of the V chord resolves to I chord and back to the IV chord. Thus, the cycle of tension and release entices people to keep listening.

I'll start off with the intro:
The intro has a simple nylon guitar line. Overall it captures the concept and the mood of the song. Nive, the co-producer and co-composer, explains that using a VST (virtual studio technology) or plug-ins creates a better and (cont.)

+ cleaner version compared to a live acoustic guitar.

Acoustic nylon guitars have a mellow and softer sound texture. Hence, substituting with a plug-in gives a better effect to the song.

The fingerstyle by the guitar is also intentional to set an intimate mood between the listener and the artist.

What I also noticed is that each member has its own unique sound in their individual parts. But it's even more amazing how it stays intact as a whole song together.

In Taehyung's and Jungkook's part, the bg is the same as the intro but an audio shift happens (cont.)

as we progress to Yoongi's part.

It's a smooth transition and noticeable to the ear when the layers of drums accompany the guitar melody line as he raps his part.

The piano and guitar blended together create an interesting soundscape and it's very pleasing to hear. The piano melody which is repeated but in an octave higher to imitate snowflakes falling gently as well capturing the "warmth" and "coldness" of a winter day

In Seokjin's part, we hear some orchestral strings (vst) to add more effect and enhances the tone of the song. The drums step back to allow the vocal line to express their heart and minds.

Another interesting thing is that heartbeat sounds were used in this song as a base.

This can also be referred to as word-painting (is the musical technique of composing music that reflects the literal meaning of a song's lyric or story element) to show intimacy and makes the heartfelt message stand out and be heard.

It's best if you listen to Jin's part when he sings "I just wanna be happier, Please warm me who is cold" and Jimin's " Oh this ground feels so heavier, I am singing by myself" The heartbeats which NIve added is a great choice to show warmth and vulnerability of the human heart.

Namjoon's part also really stood out to me. I suggest you should put on some good headphones/earphones/earbuds to hear this audio effect. It's really cool. His distant rapping by using distinct mono sound as we hear (from right to left stereo) gives an audio form of an echo.

This is to mimic the train of thoughts experienced by someone who is uneasy, restless, and gloomy.

During the climax of the song, we hear disoriented vocals (vocals were from the producer) which repeats the original melody line.

It encapsulates the "beautiful gloom" of the theme and also paints an audio form of the howling wind during the winter.

At the end of the climax, there's a slight pause before the chords come in very delicately.

While there's lots of shift in the song, there is the same amount of consistency in the sounds and the melody line, which builds the same sense of space musically.

The contrast between the lyrics, vocals, and music is fairly different. The lyrics are depressing, dark, and gloomy. It's meant to cut open and be vulnerable however, the music speaks for itself that we can find comfort and solace in someone else's thorns. (Cont.)

This is why Blue and Grey is a healing song.

During the first listen, I realized how unique this song is bc the chorus doesn't stand out as much compared to songs. It has a longer melody line compared to an average ballad and seamlessly blended with the post-chorus. (cont.)

+ This contributes to giving this song a feeling of a bleak winter.

In conclusion, Blue & Gray is not only exquisite in the classical sense, but also in contemporary music, in such a manner that both Taehyung and NIve are able to create a song that ultimately affects both the artist and the listeners in the (cont.)

+ present situation and also breaks down the barriers between them.

Song credits: