Establish a neutral version
Play a short progression with a steady, moderate strum and count the beats aloud. Record it before adding any dramatic contrast. This gives you a reference for the tempo and the spacing of attacks. Many players speed up when they strum harder and slow down when they become gentle. The first task is to notice that tendency without judging it. Use a comfortable pulse that leaves enough attention for both the chord changes and the way your picking hand moves.
Change one dimension of the sound
Repeat the progression more quietly while preserving the same motion. Then try striking fewer strings for a thinner texture. On another pass, use a broader brush for a fuller sound without forcing the wrist or gripping the pick harder. These are different ways to create contrast, and they need not happen together. Listen to whether the chord quality remains clear in the soft version. A quiet section should still have intentional attacks rather than hesitant touches that make the pulse difficult to hear.
Place the contrast at a section boundary
Practice the last two measures of a verse and the first two of a chorus. Keep counting through the change in intensity. If the entrance rushes, simplify the strum and make the dynamic change smaller until it is controlled. Add the vocal and notice whether its excitement pulls your guitar ahead. AudioChords performance mode can provide a visual reference for the form, but your steady count and listening hold the transition together. Finish with a complete run and compare the section tempos. A convincing lift comes from deliberate sound and phrasing, not an accidental acceleration at every chorus.