Caucel Set Their Sights on Control and Conformity With Explosive New Single “C4”

Costa Rican alternative rock outfit Caucel is pushing back against conformity with “C4,” a confrontational new single built around freedom, resistance, and questioning the systems shaping modern life. The track offers another look at Surveillance, the San José band’s forthcoming third EP and a project that positions Caucel’s self-described “dancefloor rock” sound in increasingly pointed territory.

Formed in 2019 and led by singer, guitarist, and songwriter Fabián Escala, Caucel pull from the grit of ’90s alternative rock while borrowing rhythm and atmosphere from electronic music. Alongside producer and drummer Ramón Vázquez, aka MØHNE, guitarist David Poveda, and bassist Colme, the band creates music that can feel equally suited to a dark club and a packed rock room.

“C4” thrives inside that collision. Its rebellious attitude is immediate, but Caucel is interested in something larger than rebellion for its own sake. The song examines what happens when authority threatens individual freedoms, encouraging listeners to challenge accepted narratives rather than passively absorb them.

That perspective connects directly to the broader themes behind Surveillance. Alongside tracks like “Look & Feel,” “C4” reflects the band’s growing interest in technology, social control, and the increasingly complicated relationship between modern convenience and personal autonomy.

Importantly, Caucel avoid positioning themselves as the ones holding the answers. Their stated intention is to encourage listeners to think critically, reach their own conclusions, and feel energized enough to question what they are presented as truth.

For an independent, unsigned band operating from Costa Rica, there is also something fitting about that philosophy. Caucel are building outside traditional structures while writing music that challenges them.

With “C4,” the DIY approach becomes more than a career model. It becomes part of the message.

“C4” is fundamentally about freedom and challenging established power. Was there a specific moment or observation that pushed you to write the song? We think that the last ten years of sociopolitical phenomena worldwide and the aftermath of the pandemic definitely opened our eyes to a broader ongoing situation. Collectively, as people, we’re now faced with the uncomfortable truth about our role within society and our relationship with the people who run it. This song in particular is meant to remind our audience of that ongoing power dynamic between the people and the elites.

You describe Caucel’s sound as “dancefloor rock.” How did that combination of electronic rhythm and alternative-rock aggression shape the way you wanted “C4” to feel?

“C4” is definitely more on the rock side of things, and it’s not as dancefloor-oriented as other tracks on the record, but it still has an underlying groove that one can definitively tap to. :)

The upcoming Surveillance EP examines technology and modern society more critically. What changed in your lives or perspectives that pushed the band toward these themes?

Collectively, we’ve all experienced or witnessed the side effects of technology, especially with AI now, where it’s pretty obvious that we’re living in a pivotal moment in time for humanity. Questions in the public sphere on technological progress at the expense of freedom and sanity definitely inspire us to write music about these issues.

You want listeners to question what they are presented as “truth” without telling them what conclusions to reach. How do you balance having a strong point of view with leaving room for individual interpretation?

We think one can have a strong point of view on things and still be able to respect different perspectives. As artists, though, we need to speak our hearts and minds through our craft, and that, inevitably, will open up the possibility to be both accepted and rejected by others and their points of view. We are willing and able to assume that risk.

Caucel remains completely independent and unsigned while building internationally from Costa Rica. How has operating outside the traditional industry system influenced both your identity and the music you make?

Being independent and retaining this level of artistic freedom and flexibility allows our music to be more in tune with our true selves. It definitely keeps things fresh, and we have a better appreciation for what we do, how we do it, when we do it, and who we do it with. It can be challenging at times, of course, but we understand that, and we welcome the challenge.