Kelsie Kimberlin releases new single “Walking Away”

Based in Washington, D.C., Kelsie Kimberlin is a Ukrainian-American singer-songwriter who’s been winning over the hearts and minds of listeners all over the world with her powerful music and purposeful artistic ethos. Having enjoyed a decorated musical journey full of success and meaningful connection with fans, her songwriting shines with intent, shedding light on important issues.

From her early days in a choir and her involvement in Yoko Ono’s Peace Project, today her ability to apply her musical output across a range of genres while maintaining a powerful message has made her a celebrated name in the modern music sphere. Her work is threaded with profound meaning and most recently, she’s focused on the ongoing war in Ukraine, releasing a series of poignant singles paired with gripping music videos.

These cinematic visuals, many shot in active warzones, amplify the impact of her music, offering an uncompromising and heartfelt perspective on the struggles faced by her ancestral homeland. With more than 100 original songs written, each track she’s released has seen her work with Grammy-winning collaborators, clocking tens of millions of views, streams and radio plays in the process. This year promises to be the most exciting yet for Kelsie as she prepares to release a full-length movie and accompanying soundtrack, bringing her powerful storytelling to an even broader audience in a new format. Touring with the film, she aims to raise awareness and support for Ukraine while introducing new listeners to her deeply moving work.

Kelsie’s first release of 2025, the new single titled “Walking Away,” presents a stunning showcase of her development as both an artist and a filmmaker. Crafting an emotive piano-driven soundscape, her delicate vocals drift beautifully above the soft instrumental notes as the gentle patter of percussion and elegant orchestral textures swell around her voice.

Casting an enchanting scene of dazzling melodies and heartfelt lyrics, the single delivers an alluring slice of graceful alternative pop that’s impossible not to be moved by. Directed solely by Kelsie herself, the accompanying music video was filmed in Kyiv, Ukraine, where she was also working on her upcoming movie about Ukrainian resistance and resilience.

Conceptualized with film director Pavlo Khomiuk, the video is brimming with symbolism, depicting Kelsie shedding layers of clothing, representing the release of pain and baggage accumulated from years in a toxic relationship. With the early morning streets of Kyiv as her backdrop, she walks alone while performing the song, resulting in a spectacular visual experience that lifts the emotional impact of the song in sensational fashion.

Commenting on the context behind the single, she shares, “Too many people are living in abusive relationships where they feel stuck forever for a variety of reasons so I wanted to give them a voice and hopefully the courage to finally just walk away.  Life is way too short and too precious to live it subjected to negativity and control. I hope this song and video empowers people to look out for themselves and their own mental health.”

Watch the music video for Walking Away below

More from Music

---

Editor Picks

---