At just 22 years old, Abby-Lynn Keen—known to the world as the alt-pop visionary Absolutely—is navigating a whirlwind year. With a global tour on the horizon and a recent engagement to fellow artist Noah Urrea, she is firmly establishing herself as a force to be reckoned with. Her latest project, Paracosm, released in February 2026, serves as a testament to her creative evolution, blending faith, romance, and a distinct sense of childlike wonder that defies conventional pop logic.
Born into a musical family in Tooting, London, Keen grew up surrounded by the industry. Her father, Paul Keen, is a producer, and her elder sisters, RAYE and Amma, are established musicians. Despite this, Keen initially kept her own aspirations quiet, eventually finding her voice through a mix of rigorous studio discipline and a desire to create something truly otherworldly. Her stage name, suggested by her sister, reflects the definitiveness she brings to her art: a refusal to doubt the fantastical worlds she builds.
Building a Paracosm
The concept of a “paracosm”—a detailed, imaginary world created in childhood—is central to Keen’s artistic identity. She describes her music as a way to bypass the constraints of logic, allowing her to create something “beautiful, weird, and unique.” This ethos is evident in tracks like “Goodbye Glitter” and “No Audience,” where she experiments with haunting carnival motifs and unconventional vocal effects.
Keen’s journey from a songwriter for A-list stars like Anitta, Normani, and Tinashe to a solo artist was marked by a pivotal collaboration with producer Dave Hamelin. This partnership allowed her to reclaim her creative agency, leading to her debut album Cerebrum and her subsequent signing with Epic Records.
It’s important in all aspects of my life to have that childlike perspective.
Navigating the pressures of the industry, Keen credits her sister RAYE for providing the guidance necessary to avoid common pitfalls. “I’m so grateful that we had that knowledge to make sure that we don’t have a repeat of my sister’s situation,” she notes. As she looks toward her future projects, she plans to lean into a more organic, acoustic sound while maintaining the fantastical world-building that has become her signature.
For Absolutely, the journey is not about chasing chart placements or conforming to industry trends. It is about the gravitational pull toward music and the joy of creating something that feels entirely her own. Whether she is planning her wedding or recording her next evolution, she remains committed to the “bigness” of her vision, ensuring there is no room for questioning the authenticity of her craft.
