"Now & Then" is noted for its , intentionally designed to sound honest and visceral.
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.
Kershaw’s voice is described as "angelic and otherworldly," providing a "brutally fragile performance" that carries the emotional weight of the lyrics. Lily Kershaw - Now & Then
Reviewers at Atwood Magazine note that the song creates a space where "rooftop parties and friends are plentiful," allowing the narrator to actualize a love that no longer exists in the physical world. Musical Composition and Production
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 "Now & Then" is noted for its ,
Kershaw considers Arcadia a meant to be heard as a "journey and an infinite loop".
Kershaw told American Songwriter that she was suffering from "tremendous heartache" during the writing process. Described by Kershaw as the most "stripped" and
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".