Absolutely

Absolutely shapes alt-pop through incisive, reflective words paired with a forceful sonic presence. Early in the 2020s Abby-Lynn Keen established herself writing songs for David Guetta, Anitta, and Normani even as she prepared her own solo path. After issuing several EPs under a prior name, she resurfaced in the middle of 2023 under the moniker Absolutely. Her debut album CEREBRUM, released that November on Epic Records, folded in strands of hip-hop, electronic music, R&B, rock, and art pop within a polished yet robust framework.

Born in Tooting, South London, to a Swiss Ghanaian mother and British musician-producer Paul Keen, she grew up alongside her older sister Rachel, who later achieved global chart success as RAYE. In her early teens Abby Keen gained sudden online attention through lifestyle clips posted on social platforms while also contributing vocals and material to the family-oriented country-pop outfit the Runaway Hamsters. Still in mid-adolescence, she supplied backing vocals on RAYE’s single “Love Me Again” and, recording as aB Keen, put out a run of solo EPs titled September, October, and others during the latter half of 2019. The following March she released the contemporary R&B project First Place (Tancrede Rouff Sessions) under the name àB.

Based in Los Angeles, Keen gained traction as a songwriter after placing the holiday track “Amor Real” with Anitta in late 2020. Subsequent credits included co-writing David Guetta’s “Get Together” in 2021 and Normani’s “Fair” in 2022, the latter reaching the Top 20 of Billboard’s Hot R&B Songs chart. She also penned material for Sam I’s “Suélate,” featured on the Sing 2 soundtrack, and contributed multiple songs to Anitta’s widely praised 2022 album Versions of Me.

Through these collaborations Keen connected with producer Dave Hamelin, whose prior work includes projects with Beyoncé and 070 Shake. Together with Rami Dawod, known for work with Dua Lipa and Camila Cabello, Kurtis McKenzie, whose credits include Selena Gomez and Doja Cat, and additional partners, she shaped and produced her first full-length effort. Adopting the name Absolutely, she placed the thirteen-track CEREBRUM with Epic Records, allowing its broad stylistic range to reinforce her powerful alt-pop identity.