Tag Archives: alternative R&B

LISTEN: Yonna Jones Plays ‘Cat & Mouse’

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Valentine’s Day is coming up. And what would Valentine’s Day be without turning up the HEAT?

Our fellow UnderDog Yonna Jones is back with some sounds of the season, having dropped “Cat & Mouse” this past Friday, January 30. The new single — here to “get the girls warmed up for Valentine’s Day” — sees Jones lean into her R&B side, as she delivers a smooth and lightning-quick melody as exhilarating as the chase itself.

“Cat & Mouse” is Yonna’s first new release of 2026, with a full album on its way to us shortly. The track was engineered by W3BZ and produced by LacTrax here in Nashville, with artwork from (another fellow UnderDog) Nicolas Soul. Try it out below!

LISTEN: Mobley is Haunted by ‘Y’r Ghost’

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Acclaimed songwriter Mobley just dropped his first new release since 2022 — and he’s wasting no time taking us on an emotional thrill ride.

“Y’r Ghost” is bubbling over with abrupt twists and turns — both in its sonic landscape, and the mood it serves to create. What begins with a sweet, soulful simmer transforms on a dime into a frantic, up-tempo dash, as our protagonist searches for answers after losing a partner whom he loved intensely.

“‘Y’r Ghost’ marks the return of Jacob Creedmoor, the protagonist from my last record, Cry Havoc!,” Mobley said. “It finds him reminiscing about the night he met the love of his life and mourning her loss, and the fact that she’s fading in his memory. The song’s shifts in mood and energy mirror the turmoil of our lovelorn hero, while the lyrics hint at a larger story still waiting to be told.”

That larger story — a continuation of the themes explored on 7-track Cry Havoc! EP — is coming soon in the form of a science-fiction epic. While we await more details, immerse yourself in the latest chapter!

WATCH: Miles Squiers Explores Fragile Relationships on ’24 Hours’

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Having trouble getting on the same page as your partner? If so, we think this will resonate…

Miles Squiers dropped “24 Hours” back in December as a “deep exploration of strained and fragile relationships.” Blurring the lines between acoustic pop and contemporary R&B, this fresh single provides the perfect soundtrack for some late-night introspection, as Squires details the disconnect between a woman with trust issues, and a man who falls short of alleviating them.

The music video — directed by James Gerrard, Squiers, and Josef Lloyd — shows Squiers as a male protagonist who will seemingly do whatever he can to escape facing the uncomfortable tension within his own home. From overworking, to staying out a little too late, his character does whatever he can to delay facing the inevitable questions that await him behind closed doors.

Watch the video below, and tell us if you’ve ever been there before in the comments!

LISTEN: Marcus Grimaldi Explores ‘Forbidden Love’

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While we were off finding ourselves this summer, Marcus Grimaldi was across the pond, releasing a sensual offering of timeless R&B.

That offering — titled “Forbidden Love” — combines silky vocals, crisp harmonies, and a slow-churning jazz instrumental to provide an honest exploration of sexual and social boundaries.

“(‘Forbidden Love’ is) a love story that explores the boundaries between love on all levels, not being accepted socially or at home, and making up a fantasy to make your world seem OK,” Grimaldi said.

The London native teamed up with producer Joon Lee to bring the single to life. Lee’s shining moment arrives in the last minute, as multi-layered vocals and a sultry sax solo help build “Forbidden Love” to an enthralling apex.

If you want more, Grimaldi has promised us new music in 2024, in the form of a full EP with one new original and a handful of select covers. For now, give yourself a taste of “Forbidden Love” below!

Songs You Should Hear: Unhealthy Dynamics and Breakthroughs

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Hold it right there!

Did you know that you can support Underground Music Collective, any time of year? By making a tax-deductible donation to UMC via The Arts & Business Council of Greater Nashville, you ensure that we can keep sharing songs and stories from independent creatives everywhere, for years to come. Click here to get started!

Anyway, onto this week’s Songs You Should Hear…

Hear What You Should

PREMIERE: Kara Frazier’s ‘I Love You’ is a Timeless Masterpiece

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Since coming to Nashville, one thing we’ve always been able to count on is Kara Frazier‘s knack for delivering soulful R&B cuts that are modern, yet timeless. Frazier’s world-class vocal abilities always seem to shine, adding depth and feeling to any track on which she is featured.

Her new single, “I Love You,” continues this glorious tradition.

Hear it First!

LISTEN: On ‘The Other Side,’ Chxrry22 Embraces Duality

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About five years ago, Toronto native Chxrry22 could have never imagined turning music into a career… until she began using social media to showcase her talents.

Her cover videos began going viral. From there, she dropped out of school, moved to Atlanta, and began pursuing music full-time. Eventually, she landed a deal with XO Records – co-founded by fellow Toronto native, The Weeknd – as the label’s first female artist.

Learn more
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