From the very first moment of Kelsie Kimberlin‘s breakthrough single ‘Sally’, our attention was gripped by the commanding performance of this emerging Washington, D.C. based artist. With her disarmingly light voice, Kimberlin rhythmically sings, “Sally did some crying, Sally lost her father, Sally felt like dying, Sally can’t be bothered.” This dark lullaby is surrounded by alt-americana riffs, ticking percussion and beeping sound, almost like a siren. It’s a truly unique soundtrack reminiscent of Courtney Barnett or Stella Donnelly and yet there’s something of an 80s vibe to this from the sung-spoken lyrics, the off-kilter melodies, and the cityscape visuals.
It’s as if the enigmatic figure of Kimberlin has escaped into the sonic romance of that decade, but her songwriting has still kept a firm foot in the present. As the track unfolds, the tragic figure of Sally, demoralised by the loss of a loved one, slowly regains her confidence in the world, propelled by meeting someone new.
Reflecting how what Sally represents within the track and universally, Kelsie Kimberlin shares: “I have known many girls who have had mental health challenges after a tragic family event and I have tried to understand how those who rose above the challenge not only survived but thrived. With Sally, I am using an amazing song to let them know that leaning on a loved one for support can help move from self-destruction to self-esteem. But for most people, Sally is just a catchy song with fun lyrics.”
The accompanying music video adds a certain carefree romance to the track, with some of those familiar 80s motifs we detected in the track. Conceived with and directed by Ukrainian film director Pavlo Khomiuk, the video was filmed in Kyiv, with Kimberlin embodying the fluctuating emotions of the song’s protagonist with the city’s post-industrial landscape as a stylish backdrop.
This audio-visual combination of the emotional struggles and the subtle reminders of the ongoing war in Ukraine creates a profound connection directly stemming from Kelsie Kimberlin‘s artistry. By weaving together personal and political narratives seamlessly, ‘Sally’ becomes something both intimate and universal.
You can also listen to ‘Sally’ in our Shades of Pop playlist.
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