"Different Now" is track 6 on the record and, consequently, represents step 6 in the 12 Step Program. I'm fascinated by numbers and how such a quantitative tool can help represent such qualitative concepts. While that fascination is evident throughout the record, it is at its strongest in this song.

There is a duality in this song that is not nearly as obvious on the rest of the record. It speaks to one of the overarching themes of this concept: balance. The half-way point is just as much about reflection as it is about looking forward. The third act is not always just about closure; it can also set the stage for a sequel.

The writing process for this song perfectly mirrored this kind of exhaustive back and forth. The song went through about 20 different chorus iterations and I struggled with the guitar solo for weeks. The near-final version had this very busy, self-gratifying, attempt at "shredding." One afternoon, when listening to a piece by John Williams, I heard a reprise of the main theme during a more subtle section of the song. It inspired me to go back and strip down the bridge into an instrumental retelling of the chorus.