Lily Kershaw - Now & Then Access

Kershaw considers Arcadia a meant to be heard as a "journey and an infinite loop".

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:

"Now & Then" is noted for its , intentionally designed to sound honest and visceral. Lily Kershaw - Now & Then

Kershaw’s voice is described as "angelic and otherworldly," providing a "brutally fragile performance" that carries the emotional weight of the lyrics.

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". Kershaw considers Arcadia a meant to be heard

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

The lyrics contrast "the way I love you now" with "the way that I loved you then," suggesting that while love persists, its form has changed to the point of being unrecognizable. Key themes include: "Now & Then" is noted

Kershaw told American Songwriter that she was suffering from "tremendous heartache" during the writing process.