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Song premiere: Boyz II Men head 'Underwater'


Boyz II Men is heading below the surface, premiering new song Underwater on usatoday.com.

Taken off upcoming album Collide, out Oct. 21, "Underwater is not about being heard – it's about the ultimate disconnect in a relationship, so much so that words dissipate as the track progresses," says founding member Shawn Stockman. "It sounds upbeat and bubbly, but the theme is real and relatable sound-wise."

Underwater is one of a number of tracks off Collide that has already seen the light of day, including Better Half, Diamond Eyes and Losing Sleep. The experimental album, described as a fusion of rock, pop and funk with classic R&B, has "a very big sound" Stockman says. It's "a landmark album for us not only because it contains some new stylistic elements, but also because it is a reflection of exactly who we are now:"

The seminal R&B group, which also consists of Nathan Morris and Wanya Morris, could well attract a younger crowd with its new effort. But after 11 albums and 20 years, the guys seem pretty content with where they're at now.

"Our fans grow old but they also pass our music down to their children," Stockman says. "Given the fact that the sound of music has changed so much over the past two decades, introducing our music to younger fans is almost like introducing a brand new style of music."