Washington DC, USA-based artist Kelsie Kimberlin first featured on this blog about a month ago but has already appeared on these pages a few times. Her latest comes complete with a lyric video and dwells once again on the war in Ukraine. It’s called Vlad.

By Graeme Smith

The Vlad in the title of Kelsie’s latest is, of course, Vladimir Putin, the perpetrator of the war who she compares to notoriously evil leaders of the past. Ukrainian herself, Kelsie has spent time in the war-torn country, giving a first-hand account of what’s happening there. It’s not comfortable listening, but important, and the track and video combined tell an emotional and visceral story. Musically, it gives us the quickfire delivery of hip hop with rock undertones.

Kelsie Kimberlin is an artist with a voice and she isn’t afraid to use it. I’m so pleased to be welcoming back to our blog so quickly.

You can watch the lyric video for Vlad below.