Nothing that a little Shock Treatment won’t fix! On her new EP, Shock Treatment, queer popstar Caroline Kingsbury imagines a world of reverse-conversion-therapy where being gay is in and being straight is out. The first single, also titled “Shock Treatment,” is a celebratory anthem of freedom on the dancefloor, featuring Caroline’s powerhouse vocals singing “I really wanna feel this rhythm tonight” over a beat reminiscent of Cyndi Lauper’s 1984 debut. Inspired by the 1981 movie “Shock Treatment” (a follow-up to The Rocky Horror Picture Show), the EP invites fans to cast off their inhibitions and step into a vibrant world of color and fun—a message that remains as important in 2025 as ever. While touring with Pom Pom Squad this past March, Kingsbury waved the Transgender Flag and reminded the audience that “it’s now more important than ever for us to be together, experiencing queer joy,” a message she will continue to share across the country this summer with performances at Lollapalooza, Capitol Hill Block Party, and a co-headlining tour with MARIS (announcement in June). 2024 was a banner year for Kingsbury, marked by her viral hit “Kissing Someone Else,” a Justin Tranter co-write (Chappell Roan), and a 10x increase in her streaming and social media audience. Now, with the release of “Shock Treatment,” Kingsbury is poised to convert the masses.
