Lately The Late Ones

Released in December 2020 via Easy Star Records, the Lately EP is a four-track collection that showcases the reggae and hip-hop hybrid sound of The Late Ones. Comprised of brothers Tui and Tau Avei alongside their cousin Josh Brunson, the trio draws on their shared Samoan and African-American heritage to merge traditional roots reggae vocal harmonies with 1990s-era hip-hop cadences. Arriving during a year of widespread global and social unrest, the EP delivers a focused set of protest music and social commentary, balancing stark explorations of systemic injustice with overarching messages of community resilience and unity.

The release is anchored by the opening track "Babylon Exists," which establishes the project's thematic focus on racial equality and historical oppression, while subsequent tracks like "Brother's Keeper" and "Troubled Streets" emphasize the necessity of mutual support and hope. The EP concludes with "The Noose," a rhythm-driven exploration of the Black experience in America featuring vocal and bass contributions from fellow Easy Star artists The Expanders. Following their introductory 2019 label single "Tell Me Not," the Lately EP functioned as both a timely standalone statement and a thematic precursor, effectively laying the groundwork for the band's full-length debut album, The Fourth Quarter, released the following year.