House of Shem turns Evermore's "It's Too Late" into roots reggae

New Zealand trio House of Shem quietly reshaped Evermore's ballad "It's Too Late" into a roots reggae single that landed on streaming platforms January 14, 2026. The Perkins brothers, Te Omeka and Isaiah, deliver the band's signature close harmonies over a deliberately rooted arrangement, keeping the melody recognisable while firmly planting it in a reggae pocket.

The release continues a pattern for House of Shem: taking non-reggae material and filtering it through reggae rhythms, vocal interplay, and conscious production choices. On this track the group leans into the one drop feel and warm, low-end presence rather than stretching into dub excess or heavy remixing. The result reads as an interpretation rather than a rewrite—Evermore's song sits comfortably in a skank-forward, roots-oriented setting that highlights the Perkins brothers' voices.

For listeners in the reggae community and selectors curating modern roots playlists, the single offers a couple of clear values. It makes a case for cross-genre programming at community radio and sound system nights, giving DJs a version that keeps song familiarity while delivering reggae groove. For casual listeners who came to Evermore through alt-rock channels, this version can be a gentle on-ramp to contemporary New Zealand reggae, showcasing how songs can be translated without losing emotional core.

House of Shem's approach also speaks to the ongoing life of songs in the era of streaming. By releasing a reggae rendition directly to digital platforms, the trio opens up sync and playlist possibilities that benefit both legacy-song discovery and reggae visibility. The production choices on the single—tight three-part harmony focus and a restrained roots arrangement—make it suitable for daytime radio, acoustic reggae sets, and intimate live shows where vocal strength is the draw.

Community relevance is practical: venues and promoters booking House of Shem can expect material that appeals to mixed crowds who appreciate original reggae alongside creative reinterpretations. Musicians interested in transposing non-reggae songs into roots formats can study the single for balance: preserve the song's hook, anchor it in reggae rhythm, and let harmony do the heavy lifting.

The takeaway? House of Shem shows how a well-chosen cover can expand audiences without sacrificing reggae integrity. Our two cents? Queue it for your next roots setlist or playlist and listen for how harmony and groove rewrite a familiar tune into something that still feels, unmistakably, like reggae.