Kelsie Kimberlin doesn’t just release singles—she launches statements. Her new track and music video “Dream of Peace” arrive perfectly timed with the International Day of Peace, and it’s hard not to feel the weight of its message. Kimberlin, an American-Ukrainian pop artist with a growing reputation for bold, cinematic work, has delivered her most powerful project to date: a prayer, a protest, and a piece of art all rolled into one.

The song itself is a slow-burning epic. It starts small, almost tentative, with orchestral swells and a choir that seem to hover just out of reach. Kimberlin’s voice carries that signature mix of fragility and strength, like someone singing through tears but refusing to break. As the track builds, the arrangement unfurls into a full-on cinematic storm.

But it’s the video that takes “Dream of Peace” into another realm. Shot in Kyiv during one of the deadliest stretches of attacks in the war, the production itself is an act of resilience. Director Denys Akulov (whose team has worked with Ed Sheeran) crafts something stunning: Kelsie in a post-apocalyptic wasteland, stumbling across a fallen astronaut. The touch between them sends the figure spiraling back into time, back into life, until the barren world blooms again. Sunflowers, fertile land, clear skies—all the imagery is deliberate, all of it deeply Ukrainian. And in a breathtaking final shot, Kelsie stands before a vast field of yellow sunflowers beneath a brilliant blue sky: the colors of Ukraine’s flag brought to life. It’s impossible not to feel the goosebumps.

Knowing the circumstances only intensifies the impact. This wasn’t filmed on a backlot or green screen—it was shot in Kyiv, under martial law, with real sirens and real threats interrupting the process. The courage of Kimberlin and her crew bleeds into every frame, giving the video an authenticity that Hollywood could never replicate.

Production-wise, “Dream of Peace” is a heavy-hitter. Ukrainian composer Yuriy Shapeta and Colombian producer Pedro Vengoechea weave the lush instrumental layers, while vocal director Larry Friedman ensures Kimberlin’s performance lands with emotional clarity. Grammy winner Liam Nolan (Adele) and Grammy nominee Stuart Hawkes (Amy Winehouse) handle the mix and master, giving the track that sleek, world-class sheen without losing its raw core.

Kimberlin herself has had an incredible year: two major humanitarian awards (including one from the UN), international acclaim, and now this cinematic statement of purpose. Yet what strikes me most is how personal this feels. “Dream of Peace” doesn’t play like a polished PR move—it feels like a letter home, a heartfelt offering from someone with roots in the soil she’s singing about.

For those who think pop can’t be political, Kimberlin is living proof that it not only can, but must. “Dream of Peace” isn’t just music—it’s memory, it’s defiance, and it’s hope wrapped up in melody and motion. On a day meant to honor peace, she’s given us a reminder of why it matters.

“Dream of Peace” is available now on all major streaming platforms

Listen to Kelsie Kimberlin and other similar artists on our Spotify Playlist ‘New Music Spotlight - Pop’

“Dream of Peace” - Kelsie Kimberlin

“Game Fit” - 9 o'clock Nasty

“Talk” - Aleksandra Picariello