Absolutely Unveils Sophomore Album ‘Paracosm,’ Charting a Course for Pop’s Next Frontier
In 2025, ascendant British pop singer-songwriter Absolutely, born Abby-Lynn Keen, captivated global audiences with "I Just Don’t Know You Yet," a rousing dark pop ballad that masterfully intertwined themes of faith, childlike wonder, and the profound submission to love’s unpredictable currents. The track, which quickly became a viral sensation, established her as a formidable new voice in the music industry. Just nine months after its release, her name resonated across digital platforms and industry circles, solidifying her presence. As 2026 progresses, Absolutely is poised to further cement her status, demonstrating a vocal prowess and songwriting acumen that industry experts suggest could redefine the future landscape of pop music. Her recently released sophomore album, Paracosm, serves as a testament to this ambition, offering a deeply personal yet universally resonant exploration of imagination and inner worlds.
The Genesis of a Rising Star: From Tooting to Global Recognition
Abby-Lynn Keen’s journey into the musical spotlight began in Tooting, South London, within a household deeply steeped in artistic expression. As the youngest sister of four-time Grammy nominee RAYE and the accomplished London-based singer-songwriter Amma, music was not merely a hobby but an intrinsic part of her upbringing. This fertile environment nurtured her innate talent, leading her to begin writing and producing songs alongside her father at a remarkably young age. By the age of 13, she had already embarked on solo sessions, honing her distinctive sound and lyrical voice. This early immersion in the craft provided a robust foundation for her future endeavors, instilling in her a profound understanding of composition and arrangement.
Her professional trajectory accelerated at 17 when she secured a publishing deal with S10 Entertainment. This pivotal agreement opened doors to collaborative opportunities, particularly during the challenging pandemic era, where she participated in numerous Zoom writing sessions. These virtual collaborations proved fruitful, leading to significant songwriting placements for high-profile artists. Her credits include "Amor Real" for Anitta, "All Yours" for Normani, and "The Chase" for Tinashe, showcasing her versatility and ability to craft compelling narratives for diverse musical styles. This period not only refined her songwriting skills but also afforded her invaluable insights into the intricacies of the pop music industry, from production nuances to artist branding.
In 2023, Absolutely formalized her artist journey by inking a licensing deal with Epic Records, a move that heralded the release of her debut album, Cerebrum, in the fall of that year. While Cerebrum introduced her unique "alien pop" sound to the world, it was the 2025 release of "I Just Don’t Know You Yet" that truly propelled her into mainstream consciousness. The single’s infectious melody, introspective lyrics, and unique blend of dark pop aesthetics with spiritual undertones resonated widely, particularly across social media platforms. Data from streaming services indicated millions of plays within weeks, and the track trended consistently on various digital charts, hinting at the expansive reach of her artistry. The success of "I Just Don’t Know You Yet" demonstrated her potential to not only write for others but also to command her own artistic narrative, securing her a place among the most promising new artists in contemporary pop. Beyond her solo work, Absolutely also boasts co-writing credits on significant radio hits, including Teddy Swims & Giveon’s "Are You Even Real," which spent two weeks atop the Adult R&B Airplay chart, further solidifying her reputation as a sought-after songwriter.
Thematic Depth and Sonic Innovation: Unpacking ‘Paracosm’
Absolutely kicked off 2026 with the highly anticipated release of Paracosm, her sophomore album, arriving via Epic Records as the successor to her 2023 debut. The album’s title, Paracosm, refers to a detailed imaginary world, often originating during childhood, a concept that perfectly encapsulates the record’s core thematic and sonic ambitions. Through Paracosm, Absolutely masterfully channels the wonder-infused naiveté of those formative years into a rich, auditory experience. She elaborates on the title’s serendipitous discovery, telling Billboard, "I saw a YouTube comment on one of my songs saying, ‘She’s my paracosm,’ and I was like, ‘What’s that word?’ It resonated with me without me even knowing what it was. I searched it up, and the definition fit so perfectly with the world I was trying to create [by drawing on] childlike wonder and that boundless imagination that you have as a kid." This organic connection to the concept allowed for an authentic exploration of inner landscapes and boundless creativity.
To realize her ambitious vision, Absolutely enlisted an impressive roster of heavyweight pop producers, each renowned for their ability to sculpt groundbreaking soundscapes. Dave Hamelin, celebrated for his work with Beyoncé, brought a meticulous, expansive touch. Deputy, known for his contributions to tracks by Rihanna and J. Cole, infused elements of rhythmic sophistication and contemporary edge. Danja, a veteran producer behind iconic records for Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake, lent his expertise in crafting innovative pop arrangements. Together, this esteemed team helped Absolutely forge a kaleidoscopic sound that defies easy categorization, weaving together elements of orchestral dream-pop, raw rock energy, ambient textures, and soulful R&B. The resulting sonic palette is both intricate and cohesive, guiding listeners through a journey of introspection and fantastical escapism.
The album’s structure itself mirrors the concept of a paracosm, with each track designed to represent an individual "room" within a whimsical, ever-expanding mansion—a metaphor for the intricate human psyche. From the evocative "No Furniture" to the soaring "Elevator," every song contributes to this elaborate internal architecture, attempting to capture the vibrant, living color of imagination. Critics have lauded Paracosm for its fearless genre-bending and its ability to evoke a sense of nostalgic wonder while pushing contemporary pop boundaries. Early reviews highlighted its immersive quality, praising Absolutely’s ability to maintain a clear artistic voice amidst complex arrangements and diverse influences. The album’s commercial performance has been robust, with several tracks entering streaming playlists and garnering significant airplay, indicating a strong positive reception from both critics and the public.
The Unconventional Creative Process: Resilience and Artistic Purity
Absolutely’s creative process remains deeply personal and rooted in authenticity, a stark contrast to the often-collaborative and commercially driven nature of modern pop production. She primarily writes by herself on the piano, developing skeletal loops and building production layer by layer. This solitary approach, she explains, is where she feels "so free… and I can explore and take as much time as I want on any [element] without being perceived." This commitment to uninhibited creation was particularly crucial during the development of Paracosm, a process fraught with unforeseen challenges and moments of profound artistic revelation.
The journey to Paracosm began immediately after the release of Cerebrum, demonstrating Absolutely’s prolific nature. However, the initial stages were marked by a series of significant setbacks. "There were many roller coaster moments, like my hard drive breaking a couple of times, so I lost the Logic files," she revealed. Yet, instead of despair, she found liberation in these technical failures. "For some reason, I wasn’t worried — because it felt like that was supposed to happen. The songs became so much better after I recreated them, and I left behind the ones that I wasn’t resonating with anymore." This resilience in the face of adversity speaks volumes about her dedication and belief in her artistic path, transforming potential roadblocks into catalysts for refinement.
A more profound challenge emerged as the album neared completion: the pervasive pressure to create a "single" or a "commercial" track. This external expectation conflicted with her intrinsic motivation for creating music. "Everyone needed the ‘single’ or the ‘commercial’ [song], and that spun my head because that wasn’t my intention behind creating the album — or creating in general," she confessed. This struggle led to a creative block, an unusual experience for such a prolific artist. To overcome it, Absolutely consciously reframed her perspective, returning to the innocent joy of her childhood musical explorations, a time "when I first found my love for music… playing around with sounds and no rules or structure." This return to foundational principles sparked a breakthrough, leading to the creation of "Nowhere to Hide." This pivotal track, along with "No Audience," "Goodbye Glitter," and the album’s title track, emerged as the most whimsical and conceptually vital songs, forming the backbone of Paracosm‘s identity.
The process of recreating songs from memory after the hard drive failures also profoundly altered her relationship with her music. She cites "Painting by Numbers" as a prime example, a track that underwent a transformative journey. After its initial loss and subsequent re-recording, she added "new stacks and new production elements," imbuing it with a "new life." Further complications, such as a producer giving part of the track to another artist, necessitated another complete reconstruction. This led to a creative decision to change the piano to stacked acoustic guitars, which, she notes, "made it feel even more dreamy." These iterative processes highlight her meticulous attention to detail and her ability to adapt and enhance her compositions under pressure.
The Power of Melody and Visual Storytelling
Absolutely often emphasizes the profound emotional impact of melody, stating that "sometimes you can learn more about a feeling from a melody than a lyric." This philosophy is palpably evident throughout Paracosm, particularly in moments like the intro of "No Audience," where her wordless vocalizations convey a powerful narrative. "I’m just singing a melody, and it’s really powerful. It tells its own story without words being there," she explains. For her, melody is often the primary conduit for expression, with concepts sometimes following the initial melodic inspiration. This intuitive approach allows for a raw, unfiltered emotionality that permeates her work.
Beyond the auditory experience, Absolutely is deeply invested in the visual aesthetics of her music. The album artwork for Paracosm is a striking example of her multimedia vision, drawing inspiration from Polish and Russian folk art portraits, characterized by their fantastical elements and symbolic head adornments. She collaborated with Art Partner, leveraging their expertise to construct a 3D render of her face, integrating "Easter eggs" from an ongoing animation project into the cover. The carousel, a significant motif in the animation, also finds its place on the album art, hinting at the whimsical and cyclical nature of imagination. This intricate visual strategy is designed to create a cohesive and immersive experience for her audience.
This expanded visual aesthetic is set to translate into her live performances and future music videos. Absolutely envisions intimate, immersive concert experiences, eschewing conventional venues for more "interesting or not as obvious" spaces. She plans to transform these environments with drapes and other theatrical elements, crafting a distinct "Absolutely aesthetic" that invites the audience into her Paracosm. This commitment to an all-encompassing artistic vision aligns with a growing trend in the music industry where artists are increasingly utilizing visual media to deepen engagement and storytelling, creating a richer, multi-sensory experience for fans.
Evolving Sound and Future Horizons
Absolutely’s artistic evolution is also marked by a conscious redefinition of her sound. While her debut, Cerebrum, was characterized by "alien pop" due to its "intergalactic" feel, she now prefers the term "experimental pop" for Paracosm. This shift reflects a more grounded yet equally adventurous approach. "I’m never consciously thinking about experimenting; I’m usually just creating what my heart wants," she clarifies. Her inherent "pop tendencies," cultivated through a lifetime of writing pop songs, naturally merge with her constant exploration of new sonic territories, resulting in the distinctive "experimental pop" sound that defines her current work. This fluid approach to genre classification underscores her commitment to artistic freedom and innovation.
Reflecting on the challenges of bringing Paracosm to fruition, Absolutely acknowledges that "finishing [the album] was an art I’ve just learned how to do." Unlike Cerebrum, where she avoided revisiting songs, this album saw her meticulously refining each detail. "I’ve learned it’s really fun to home in on each detail and think about the intention behind each lyric and moment in the song," she notes. However, the emotional intensity of re-engaging with certain feelings remains challenging, leading her to sometimes preserve the raw authenticity of a "one-take" recording, as seen in "Trojan Horse." The most arduous task was winnowing down approximately 60 written songs, with about 20 strong contenders, to the final 13 tracks, a testament to the depth of her creative output. She hints at the possibility of a deluxe edition, promising that "there were definitely some gems that got left behind."
Among the tracks, Absolutely expresses particular pride in the song "Paracosm," feeling it perfectly encapsulates the album’s inspirations, drawing parallels to the fantastical worlds of Tim Burton, Alice in Wonderland, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. She particularly loves "the key changes at the end and all the stacks and the strings," which contribute to its rich, immersive quality.
The Keen Sisters: A Symphony of Talent
The musical synergy within the Keen family is a significant aspect of Absolutely’s narrative. Her appearance alongside sister Amma on "Joy," a standout track from their eldest sister RAYE’s new album, symbolizes this powerful bond. Absolutely describes "Joy" as "the perfect song for us to be on together. It’s so pure and really encapsulates our relationship as sisters." The track, infused with gratitude and hope, arrives at a momentous time when all three sisters are launching new albums, marking a collective triumph and a testament to their shared talent and faith. This collaboration not only showcases their individual vocal abilities but also underscores the supportive and inspiring environment that defines their family’s musical legacy. Industry observers view the Keen sisters as a formidable force, each contributing unique perspectives to the contemporary music scene while collectively demonstrating the power of artistic lineage.
Looking ahead, Absolutely continues to explore new creative avenues. Despite a recent hiatus from the studio, she has exciting projects on the horizon. Two collaborations with John Summit were released on April 15, hinting at a foray into electronic music. Her ambitious Paracosm animated project remains in progress, set to feature six songs from the album. Envisioned with "very whimsical, [Tim Burton vibes]," this animated series represents her aspiration for a full visual album, a goal she hopes to achieve with increased resources in the future. As she continues to perform, write, and innovate, Absolutely is not merely an artist on the rise; she is actively sculpting new dimensions within pop music, inviting listeners into her unique and boundless paracosm. Her journey underscores the importance of artistic integrity, resilience, and a boundless imagination in charting a truly unique course in the ever-evolving global music landscape.
