Samuel Cajal’s “Who Are You?” Explores Existential Questions with Collaborative Spirit
Samuel Cajal’s latest single, “Who Are You?”—released February 27, 2026—probes the complexities of identity in a world obsessed with image. The track, previewed as part of his forthcoming third album on The Incubator label, features contributions from Karen Lano, Nellyla, Jérémie Kiefer, and Guilhem Valayé.
A Song Born from Introspection
Cajal describes himself as a songwriter who found it difficult to categorize his perform—too melancholic for lightheartedness, too ironic for drama, and existing in a space between electric and acoustic sounds. He explains, “I make songs like others build furniture, it allows me to stand up, even if there are screws left at the end.” “Who Are You?” represents a “serious attempt to ask an existential question in three and a half minutes.”
Collaborative Creation
Originally written some time ago, the song gained momentum after a conversation with Jérémie Kiefer, who encouraged Cajal to revisit it. The collaborative process involved each featured artist recording their parts independently, resulting in a harmonious blend during mixing, particularly at the song’s conclusion. Cajal noted this outcome was “exactly what I secretly dreamed of.”
Navigating a Nostalgic and Image-Focused Culture
Cajal identifies a sense of vertigo stemming from the “normalization of fascism” and the contrast between societal issues and the innocence of childhood. He also critiques the current state of the music industry, noting a lack of renewal among festival headliners and a surge in tribute bands, indicative of a deeply nostalgic culture.
The Impact of Advertising and Consumption
Cajal attributes this nostalgia to several factors, including the pervasive influence of advertising on aesthetics, the decline of strong music criticism, and the shift towards streaming and away from physical media, which he believes diminishes active listening.
Musical Inspirations
Cajal shared a playlist of songs that resonate with him, including:
- Low – “Plastic Cup”
- Balthazar – “Sinking Ship”
- Alan Sparhawk – “Don’t take your light”
- Troy Von Balthazar – “Heroic Little Sisters”
- Young Jesus – “Gulf”
- Andoni Iturrioz – “Ole”
- Nicolas Jules – “La transformation”
- Renaud – “Red Gorge”
- Arlt – “The fox”
- Louis Jean Cormier – “100 meters hurdle”
- Black Noise – “Success”
- XXXTentacion – “Staring at the sky”
He expressed a desire to one day open for Troy Von Balthazar.