It’s a little early to cast votes for Song of the Year and Vocal Performance of the Year, but my early ballot goes to LA artist Caroline Kingsbury for her new single “Shock Treatment”. This song is early 80s ecstasy – like an unreleased Cyndi Lauper track or perhaps an Annie Lennox/Michael Jackson song that should have been on Thriller.
For those who are clamoring to know who’s the next Chappell Roan poised for a breakout year, look no further than Kingsbury. She’ll take the stage at Lollapalooza this summer and will soon kick off a co-headlining tour with fellow LA artist MARIS.
On the new single, Kingsbury imagines a world of reverse conversion therapy, where queerness is celebrated and heterosexuality is taboo. The message is part of the magic – and Caroline’s vocal establishes her as one of the most gifted singers in pop today. She can match Remi Wolf and Sophie Scott (of Sophie & The Giants) note for note, and I predict that her Spotify numbers will soon rival theirs (topping four million monthly listeners).
Don’t be shocked if Kingsbury’s next EP (due in September) becomes one of the most hailed records of the year.
Watch the video for “Shock Treatment” below, or find it on the streaming services.
Follow Caroline Kingsbury on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook.
