Florida raised and L.A. based rising queer pop artist Caroline Kingsbury recently released her electrifying and bold new EP, Shock Treatment. The EP, especially the title track, is inspired by the 1981 cult classic, “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.” Shock Treatment draws inspiration from themes in the film, such as the blurred lines between fantasy and reality, and societal pressure. Kingsbury flips the script with this body of work by imagining a world where queerness is not only normal but celebrated, and straightness is marginalized. The way she reverses these societal roles is thought-provoking and poignant.
“Meteorite” is the focus track on the EP, and is a cinematic ballad with melodramatic and nostalgic vibes. The song makes it evident that Kingsbury is inspired by ‘80s pop and is becoming a modern ‘80s pop diva herself. About the single, Kingsbury shares, “We wrote ‘Meteorite’ as a nostalgia-filled movie scene of sorts, trying to capture — sonically and lyrically — the uncertain longing of falling in love with someone new. Love can feel so foreign, like a visitor on fire crashing into us from another world.” Pushing boundaries emotionally, politically, and vocally, Caroline Kingsbury continues to share her bold music and inspiring messages through recorded music and on tour. In March 2025, Kingsbury toured in support of Pom Pom Squad and waved the transgender flag during her set, reminding audiences: “It’s now more important than ever for us to be together, experiencing queer joy.”
Caroline Kingsbury has been spreading the spirit of Shock Treatment all over with performances at Lollapalooza and Capitol Hill Block Party, and All Things Go. Kingsbury is currently in the middle of “Give Me A Tour,” her debut co-headline tour with Maris. Before the tour, she made waves with her collaboration on viral single “Give Me A Sign,” which she released with Maris earlier this year. The single racked up over a million streams in its first month and got on Spotify’s “New Music Friday” global playlist. Kingsbury’s music has also been featured across other platforms, with her breakup ballad “Blurry Now” being featured in Netflix’s Forever, and her anthem “Fly Too Close” appearing in Apple TV’s The Buccaneers.
I’ve had the pleasure of seeing Caroline Kingsbury live when she opened for Pom Pom Squad at the X-Ray Arcade, and at the Chicago date of “Give Me A Tour.” Her stage presence and energy are infectious, and seeing her live turned me from someone who just likes her music into a true fan. With the release of Shock Treatment, Caroline Kingsbury is poised to convert the masses and entertain everyone with her powerful, cathartic, and nostalgic sound. “Meteorite” and Shock Treatment are out now via Music Is Fun.
CAROLINE KINGSBURY LIVE
Sept 26 – Columbia, MD – All Things Go
with MARIS:
9/25 – New York, New York, Racket NYC
9/27 – Philadelphia, PA – MilkBoy
9/28 Allston, MA – Brighton Music Hall
9/30 Celeveland, OH – Grog Shop
10/1 – Columbus, OH – Skullys Music Diner
10/3 – Chicago, IL – Chop Shop
10/4 – Minneapolis, MN – Green Room
10/5 – Lawrence, KS – Bottleneck
10/7 Denver, CO – Marquis Theater
10/9 Portland, OR – McMenamins Mission Theater
10/10 Seattle, WA – Barboza
10/11 Vancouver, BC, Canada – Biltmore Cabaret
10/14 – Berkeley, CA – Cornerstore Craft Beer & Live Music
10/15 – Los, Angeles, CA – EchoplexTicketsRSVP
Shock Treatment EP – TRACKLISTING
1. Shock Treatment
2. Chocolate
3. Pain + Pleasure
4. Meteorite
5. I See God In You
“She recalls the naked vulnerability of Karen O or Kate Bush, conjuring a sense of danger with her vocal slipperiness.”
– Pitchfork
“For those who are clamoring to know who’s the next Chappell Roan poised for a breakout year, look no further than Kingsbury“
–Beats Per Minute
“Right from the opening synth pulse, “Shock Treatment” locks you in. The song plays like the soundtrack to a neon-lit catharsis on the dance floor—equal parts Robyn’s “Dancing on My Own” and Cyndi Lauper circa “She’s So Unusual.”
–Blurred Culture
“There’s something deliciously defiant about Caroline Kingsbury’s approach to pop music. From 80s pop synths to maximalist make-up looks, Kingsbury is creating the kind of representation she never had growing up. In indulging her inner-child she’s carving out space for the next generation to grow up in a world of full-spectrum colour – embracing all that they are.“
– Dazed
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