I am extremely impressed with Kelsie Kimberlin. For the past two years, she’s been a constant presence within Mesmerized’s music discovery efforts. Initially rising on the scene thanks to her meaningful and prominent commitment to shine a light on Ukrainian suffering in the face of the recent invasion, the Washington, D.C.-based songstress has now pivoted to a more complete, eclectic artistry, a move that reveals the many layers of creativity in Kelsie’s endeavour.
‘Sally’ is the perfect evidence of that, in perhaps an unexpected way: Kimberlin’s latest effort, the track is deceptively playful on the surface, an enticing slice of mellow pop, all drenched in honey-like melodies and relatable lyricism. Yet, a deeper look at the symbolism behind the song reveals a darker, gloomy reality. ‘Sally’ – the girl who appears to gracefully enjoy a gentle tantrum – is, in reality, processing the loss of her father, something that’s tragically very common in Ukraine, due to the heavy casualties during the invasion.
Delving deeper into the record, Kimberlin explains: “With Sally, I am using an amazing song to let them know that leaning on a loved one for support can help move from self-destruction to self-esteem. But for most people, Sally is just a catchy song with fun lyrics.” As always, Kelsie enjoys shooting hard-hitting videos to go along with her records; this time around she teamed up with film director Pavlo Khomiuk in Kyiv, Ukraine.
Recommended! Discover ‘Sally’ on Spotify and Youtube:
