Bossa nova, a Brazilian music genre, emerged in the late 1950s and is known for its unique blend of samba rhythms and jazz influences. Its harmonies often featured dissonant chords and unexpected harmonic shifts, which challenged traditional Western music norms. Bossa nova introduced sophisticated and intricate harmonic structures, such as chords with added tensions and chromaticism, which can be unfamiliar to listeners accustomed to more traditional tonal music. These unconventional harmonic choices can give the impression of being out of tune to listeners who are accustomed to more traditional tonal music. However, these charges of being out of tune were not necessarily criticisms of bossa nova but reflections of how the genre challenged established musical conventions.
Bossa nova artists intentionally designed their harmonies to create a unique and sophisticated musical experience, pushing the boundaries of harmony to create a more complex and expressive musical language. Overall, bossa nova's use of complex harmonies and unconventional chord progressions contributed to its perceived out-of-tuneness, but it is essential to recognize that these choices were intentional and played a key role in defining the genre's unique sound and artistic vision.