SAN GABRIEL’S “PLAYING WITH FIRE” PAIRS UPBEAT SYNTHPOP WITH RAW EMOTION

San Gabriel’s new single, “Playing With Fire,” is a song just about anyone can relate to, centered around the unraveling of a relationship and the emotional reckoning that follows. At its core, it’s about recognizing when something’s no longer working and choosing to step away, even when it hurts.

San Gabriel is the solo project of James Bookert, who channels that heartbreak into a profoundly personal journey of rediscovery and boundary-setting. As he puts it: “Sort of a reminder to myself to be mindful of my boundaries and the energy I put into relationships that may or may not be healthy or beneficial.”

Musically, Bookert is a one-man force—combining programmed synths, drum and rhythm tracks, and live guitar work to build a full-bodied, emotionally rich sound. In the accompanying video, he performs alone in a wide-open desert, pouring everything he has into the performance, visually echoing the song’s themes of solitude, strength, and healing.

While his story is uniquely his own, “Playing With Fire” taps into a universal truth: the need to take space, reflect, and emerge from heartbreak stronger and more self-aware. It’s a moving, relatable anthem for anyone learning to let go and stand on their own two feet again.