Polartropica and Gilbert Louie Ray Sail Through Heartbreak and Healing on “Shiny Things”

Los Angeles-based galactic dream-rock visionary Polartropica joins forces with Americana troubadour Gilbert Louie Ray for a shimmering and soulful collaboration.  Their new single, “Shiny Things,” is a radiant fusion of Americana, folk, and celestial pop, a genre-defying anthem that details dealing with the end of a relationship and heartbreak.

“Shiny Things” gleams with warmth and dynamic beauty. The song came about when Polartropica was inspired by her father’s love of John Denver. The irresistible track also takes influence from the Everly Brothers and The Beach Boys, a golden-era of music that shines through in this latest fresh sound.  The track details the difficult pain that can often happen at the end of falling in love. Polartropica shares, “This song is about eventually finding it in your heart to learn and grow from all the hard lessons and finally let go with a sense of understanding and acceptance, which is a journey in itself, and coming back home to yourself with love and forgiveness.”

The accompanying music video, directed by Tristan Pelletier, extends that emotional journey into an eccentric, cinematic fantasy. Set against the surreal backdrop of the Salton Sea, Polartropica transforms into a sunbaked pirate captain navigating absurd misfortune, including, hilariously, a parking ticket for her ship. The visual, shot on one of the hottest days of the summer, captures Polartropica’s trademark blend of humor, imagination, and heart. The pirate narrative becomes a metaphor for navigating emotional storms, with the desert’s stark beauty amplifying the song’s themes of resilience and rediscovery.

Polartropica continues to expand her creativity, bridging dream pop and Americana, sincerity and lightheartedness, the cosmic and the deeply human. It’s another bold, beautiful chapter from an artist who refuses to fit inside a single genre or galaxy.

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INSTAGRAM for Gilbert Louie Ray