Cavetown - Trying Apr 2026

: Skinner has shared in livestreams that he originally wrote the song for his mother during a period of significant mental health struggles. He used the lyrics to express his fear that his struggles might make him difficult to love or that his mother might not "like" the version of him he was becoming.

: 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" Cavetown - Trying

: 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. : Skinner has shared in livestreams that he

For many in the community, "Trying" has become an anthem for those who feel they are "difficult" to love because of their mental health. It resonates particularly with queer and trans youth who find comfort in Skinner's candidness about his own growth and identity. The transition from the raw, 2015 bedroom-pop version to the more polished Sleepyhead production mirrors Skinner’s own journey as an artist—refining his voice while keeping the same vulnerable heart. Cavetown is trying to change - The Line of Best Fit Lyrical Themes: The Mental "Rubik's Cube" : The

: 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.

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