There’s something profoundly moving about an artist who travels to a war zone to tell a story that needs telling. Kelsie Kimberlin‘s latest single, “Dream of Peace” is that kind of work, a cinematic masterpiece filmed in Kyiv during some of the war’s most perilous moments. Released in September to coincide with the International Day of Peace, this isn’t just another pop song with a message; it’s a visceral expression of Ukrainian hope, wrapped in stunning production.
The video itself unfolds like a short film, with Kelsie discovering an astronaut in a post-apocalyptic wasteland. Through that single touch, time spirals backward to reveal fertile landscapes bursting back to life, culminating in that final frame: Kelsie standing before endless yellow sunflowers against a brilliant blue sky. The symbolism hits hard without being heavy-handed.
What makes this track exceptional is the production pedigree behind it. Ukrainian composer Yuriy Shapeta and Bogota producer Pedro Vengoechea crafted an orchestral arrangement that builds slowly, almost prayerfully, toward a crescendo that genuinely gives you chills. Grammy winner Liam Nolan and nominee Stuart Hawkes handled the mixing and mastering, ensuring every element serves the song’s emotional core.
The fact that director Denys Akulov and his crew filmed this during Kyiv’s worst missile and drone attacks of the war adds another layer of meaning. These weren’t studio recreations of danger; they were working through actual air raid sirens and martial law. That reality translates directly into the video’s power.
The video debuted at the International Peace Concert in Los Angeles in September, and it’s exactly the kind of work that deserved that platform. Kelsie Kimberlin continues proving she’s not just making music; she’s documenting history through art.
