"Now & Then" is noted for its , intentionally designed to sound honest and visceral.
Written during a session at producer Ben Cooper’s studio, it was the last song written for Arcadia but the first to be released. Context Within Arcadia Lily Kershaw - Now & Then
Kershaw told American Songwriter that she was suffering from "tremendous heartache" during the writing process. "Now & Then" is noted for its ,
Lily Kershaw’s is a poignant folk-pop ballad released in 2019 as a lead single from her sophomore album, Arcadia . Described by Kershaw as the most "stripped" and intimate track on the record, the song explores the irreconcilable rift between past affection and present reality. Thematic Core: Unfulfilled Potential Lily Kershaw’s is a poignant folk-pop ballad released
The song functions as a "wistful appeal" to a former lover, centering on the concept of . Kershaw examines a relationship that ended not necessarily because of a lack of love, but because it was never allowed to fully bloom. Key themes include:
Lines like "we’ll never know if our love could have grown" highlight the tragedy of a love lost to circumstance or internal struggles, such as the subject being "scared and alone" or "longing to feel but nothing that's real".
The track is primarily built on delicate fingerpicking on an acoustic guitar. Some critics noted atmospheric additions, such as a rich, husky organ or accordion, which add a "melancholic autumn" feel.