On their newest track, "I Just Can't Help Feeling Curious," Brooklyn indie project Skinny Dippers, fronted by singer-songwriter Ryan Gross, presents a track reminiscent of a late-night heart-to-heart conversation. The second single from their forthcoming E.P., it plumbs the ache of uncertainty with a sound that quietly gathers itself, swelling to a cinematic finale. And attuned to both his Maine roots and the indie pulse of Brooklyn, Gross has a talent for translating complicated feelings into straightforward-seeming lines.
The song begins with folky guitar patterns that are strikingly reserved, characterized by a carefully choked-back, weepy restraint. But as the narrative of love, suspicion, and emotional unraveling unfolds, the subtle layers could be synths, or it could be the carefully chosen harmonies, and they start to flourish. This song is a feeling. That slow kindling of doubt you experience when you begin to question whether everything is as real as it seems. The vocal performance reflects this tension perfectly, starting off hushed and gradually building to a stunning climax around the 2:29 mark, as a drum machine pulsates in like a pounding heartbeat. It balances musically between indie folk and indie pop, and veers away from micro-details without losing the sense of openness that runs through Sufjan Stevens, the emotional play of Phoebe Bridgers, or the quiet power of Big Thief.
Gross's songwriting is an attempt to connect. The lyrics don't hide behind metaphors. The conversational tone immediately gets to the point. They deliver unvarnished truths about the fragility of intimacy and the painful curiosity that sneaks in when trust begins to slip away. It's the sort of song that feels like it's always been there somewhere deep in your chest, just waiting to be coaxed to the surface with the right melody. "I Just Can't Help Feeling Curious" is a moment to remember. Skinny Dippers is creating a record of emotional catharsis for anyone who's ever grappled with love and longing beneath a shroud of silence. Ideal for moping playlists, reflective evenings, and solitary strolls, this single is a reminder that even our most delicate moments need a theme. And Skinny Dippers serves it up with grace.
Discover Skinny Dippers on Instagram