Cavetown - Trying Today

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

: Lines like "I'm trying to shout but no sound comes out" emphasize the isolation of mental illness—knowing you need help but being unable to bridge the gap to reach others. The Central Message: "I Promise I'm Trying"

The emotional peak of the song lies in its chorus, which shifts from internal struggle to an external plea for patience: Cavetown - Trying

The song’s core was born from a place of fear and a need for reassurance.

: 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

: 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. Origins and Personal Meaning : Lines like "I'm

The lyrics use striking metaphors to describe the internal chaos of anxiety and depression: