Liam Cromby has been making us feel things we didn’t know we needed since 2007… Re-Imagined is no different!
For those unfamiliarLiam Cromby was the lead singer of We Are The Ocean an English alt- rock/hardcore band who supported the likes of Muse. The band made a come back in 2022 after a five year hiatus but there has been radio silene since. Is it the end, for good? That said, I’m sure if they took to the stage again , you can bet their loyal fans would be right there front and centre to support them.
In 2023, Cromby released his debut solo album What Can I Trust If I Can’t Trust True Love – a significant shift in genre from the alt-rock anthems We Are The Ocean fans grew up with. This time, Liam leaned into a more Americana/country-inspired sound.
His latest offering, the Re-Imagined EP, is a three-track trip down memory lane, featuring two brand-new versions of Trying and Nothing Good Has Happened Here, alongside a reworking of Blink-182’s Every Time I Look for You. These songs carry a new wave of nostalgia – a reflection of what’s been and a subtle nod to Liam’s evolving musical direction.
Trying
The EP opens with Trying – a track that reflects Liam’s journey post -We Are The Ocean. The lyrics open up with reflections on poor habits and the impact of alcohol, delivering a candid and vulnerable account of personal struggles. The song was written in Nashville with Kenny Foster back in 2019, which explains the unmisakeable country feel. You can hear the pain in Liam’s voice as he sings the words –
Oh baby I’m trying, to be a good man doing good to stop all this flying. I’m higher than the mountain should, leaving you home crying, while we’re dying. Oh baby i’m triyng”
Lyrically this song is both beautiful and dark. It’s raw, honest and emotional – like diving deep into the pages of Liam’s diary. It feels like a heartfelt apology to someone significant, whilst also offering an insight into the hidden side of band life – performing night after night, putting on a brave face, while silently struggling.
Track two is Every Time I Look for You, a Blink 1-8-2 song. Admittedly, it’s not a track I was familiar with (don’t judge – Blink were never really my thing), but honestly? I wouldn’t have known it was a cover if he hadn’t said. It fits seamlessly into the theme of the EP: nostalgic, introspective, and full of heart. Liam explained that this song nods to his roots. His version is stripped back but optimistic — a gentle homage to youth and the songs that shaped him.
Nothing Good Has Happened Yet
Closing the EP is my favourite track — a reimagined version of Nothing Good Has Happened Yet, originally released in 2009. For many elder emos, this song was a teenage anthem, a soundtrack for crying in your room when life felt too much.
Arguably the most iconic We Are The Ocean track, it gained major traction at the time and was always a fan favourite during live sets. Nothing Good Has Happened Yet soundtracked many a teenage breakdown – the tears, the angst, the emotional roller-coaster that is life. The lyrics resonated then and, remarkably, they still do now – albeit in a different way.
Well okay, I guess nothing good has happened yet. Well I’ll pray, that I’ll be alright.
As. Teenager those lyrics echoed unfairness and frustration. As an adult they hit differently. We are in different phases now, carrying different burdens, but that longing for things to feel okay remains. The acoustic version adds new emotional depth – more reflective, more real.
Something good has happened for Liam Cromby. He’s made incredible memories on the road with We Are The Ocean, and now he’s carving out a fresh, exciting path with a solo career.
Yes, there’s been a genre shift and a change of pace since the old days – but what hasn’t changed is the powerful, relatable lyricism, the unforgettable voice, and the uncanny ability to make music that hits you right in the feels. Re-Imagined is a beautifully curated EP – a time capsule – equal parts past, present and promise.
I have heard whispers that Liam might be planning an intimate tour exploring these songs with fans in more depth. Here’s hoping there’s a Scottish date in the mix.
Liam Cromby’s Re-Imagined EP is a nostalgic nod to the past and a bold step forward!
