Cavetown - Trying -

: During live performances, Skinner has noted that the song helped him navigate the process of coming out, serving as a vehicle for the complex emotions surrounding identity and acceptance. Lyrical Themes: The Mental "Rubik's Cube"

by Cavetown (the musical project of Robin Skinner ) is a deeply intimate exploration of mental health, vulnerability, and the exhausting effort required to maintain relationships while struggling with self-loathing. Released as the sixth track on the 2020 album Sleepyhead , the song is actually a re-recorded and refined version of his older track "I Promise I’m Trying" from the 2015 EP Nervous Friends // Pt. 1 . Origins and Personal Meaning Cavetown - Trying

The lyrics use striking metaphors to describe the internal chaos of anxiety and depression: : During live performances, Skinner has noted that

The emotional peak of the song lies in its chorus, which shifts from internal struggle to an external plea for patience: : The opening lines describe trying to "form

: The lyrics "I've never hated myself more" are balanced by the gratitude for a friend or loved one who is still "trying" to be there.

: Skinner describes feeling like he is in a "dream state" where he should have "woken up by now," a common sentiment for those experiencing dissociation or a sense of being stuck in a cycle of poor mental health.

: The opening lines describe trying to "form these feelings into cubes" and sort them in his mind. This highlights a desperate attempt to make sense of overwhelming emotions, separating "negative thoughts" from "happy things" just to function.