Kelsie Kimberlin’s latest single ’Vlad’ is an ominous, rebellion-fueled piece of rock that’s deeply groovy, dripping with attitude, and is generally an endlessly entertaining piece of song loaded with detail and meaning.
Ukrainian-American Kelsie Kimberlin is a singer and a songwriter based in Washington DC. Her sound ‘Vlad’ took us back to some landmark vocalists from the turn of this century, singers like Gwen Stefani and Avril Lavigne, with their edgy, girlish charm. ‘Vlad’ has some incredibly witty lyrics that flow so well they are actually a little hypnotic. Behind them we have a deep and quick groove, scratchy and overdriven rhythm guitar riffs, and a descending chord pattern that oozes drama and darkness. A fantastic guitar lead line kicks in with a siren-like wail that gives me shivers, and the broodingly playful chorus hooks like nothing else.
Regardless of the war themes and the anger-filled lyrics, ‘Vlad’ is an incredibly well thought piece of lighthearted pop punk that’s mature and balanced, and practices restraint in what seems like the only right way, by holding nothing back.