THEN: As the lead singer of the Verve, Ashcroft contributed his unforgettable voice to countless classics, most notably the worldwide smash hit “Bittersweet Symphony.” He mostly stayed out the Britpop and was buddy-buddy with the Gallagher brothers — they dedicated songs to each other, and Ashcroft sang backup on Oasis’ “All Around The World.”

NOW: After the short-lived Verve reunion from 2007-2009, he released a 2010 album with a new band under the name RPA & The United Nations of Sound. He released a solo song called “Future’s Bright” — premiered at Stereogum! — on the soundtrack of the 2011 film The Adjustment Bureau. But he hasn’t released anything since, so it was more like his future’s blank.