Pop/Review Kelsie Kimberlin - Perfume
Kelsie Kimberlin is a 24-year-old singer-songwriter who has been involved with music her entire life, starting with children’s and church choirs and then recording her first song at age eight for Yoko Ono’s Peace Project, which won first prize and a $5000 award. She spent all of that money on music lessons and started recording her own music in the studio at age 12. Over the past several years, she has recorded more than 100 original songs.
"Perfume," Kelsie Kimberlin's most recent song, is a masterfully evocative metaphor for love that explores how attraction—like scent—can be both seductive and addictive. Kelsie creates a beautiful and profoundly symbolic song with her trademark dreamy voice and cinematic narrative, transporting listeners to a realm where love is beyond words.
The concept of the song is further explored in the official music video, which was directed by Kelsie herself in partnership with Pavlo Khomiuk. The video depicts a silent, reflective love story—one of desire, mystery, and connection—against the lovely cobblestone alleys of Kyiv. Like the invisible but potent charm of perfume, Kelsie's presence draws her companion in, and the song's meaning develops organically thanks to the quiet, expressive images.
"Perfume" was inspired by the book and movie of the same name, but it takes the idea in a more positive way by moving from obsession to the inexplicable wonder of true love. This feeling is reflected in the song's mesmerizing melody and ethereal sound, which make it an engrossing listen.
But there is a tragic undertone to the song's release. Kelsie dedicated this song to 15-year-old Mariya Troyanovskaya, who was killed in a Russian drone attack after the video filming. This sincere homage gives the song an even deeper level of meaning and purpose, turning "Perfume" from a love ballad into a moving reminder of life's frailty.
Kelsie Kimberlin once again demonstrates her ability to combine beauty and meaning with "Perfume," a song that is both exquisite and incredibly poignant.