Auckland’s Lomez Brown honors his proud Māori and Cook Island heritage in his smooth, Polynesian-influenced reggae. He has also mined the universal appeal of feel-good romance since early releases like 2013’s “Can You Be Mine” and 2014’s “By Your Side.” And as a member of the Aotearoa New Zealand collective Fejoint, Brown aligns himself closely with some of the country’s top players, singers, songwriters, and producers. He has thrived in other collaborations and styles, enlisting Perth vocalist Raggadat Cris for the delicate R&B inflections of 2019’s “Lovin’ You” and guesting with Auckland hip-hop crew SWIDT on 2021’s “KELZ GARAGE.” Brown’s 2015 solo single “Sweet Lover” achieved local double-platinum status almost a decade after its release, illustrating the lasting reach of his deeply felt yet lightly delivered love songs. His 2024 debut album, UNDER-RATED, yielded even warmer vibes, including a guest spot from Utah-based Polynesian singer Sione Toki on the ultra-chill valentine “Been You.”