AceShowbiz - British singer-songwriter Absolutely has quickly become a defining voice in contemporary pop with her immersive sophomore album, Paracosm, released in early 2026 through Epic Records. Following the success of her 2023 debut Cerebrum, this new project reveals a richly imaginative world inspired by childhood wonder and a kaleidoscope of musical influences, signaling a bold step forward in her burgeoning career.

Born Abby-Lynn Keen, Absolutely is the youngest sibling of acclaimed four-time Grammy nominee RAYE and London-based artist Amma. She has been steadily building her presence in the pop music scene, initially gaining recognition in 2025 with the dark pop ballad "I Just Don’t Know You Yet." This track skillfully melded themes of faith, innocence, and surrender to love, marking her as a unique voice with a deep emotional range.

Paracosm—a term that refers to a detailed imaginary world often created during childhood—aptly encapsulates the album’s essence. The project finds Absolutely channeling the boundless creativity and sense of magic from her younger years. To construct this sonic universe, she collaborated with heavyweight producers such as Dave Hamelin, known for work with Beyoncé; Deputy, who has worked with Rihanna and J. Cole; and Danja, associated with Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake. The album fuses orchestral dream-pop, rock, ambient sounds, and R&B into a vibrant, multidimensional soundscape.

Tracks like "No Furniture" and "Elevator" serve as distinct “rooms” within the expansive mansion of Paracosm, each reflecting different facets of the imaginative psyche the album aims to portray. This conceptual approach allows listeners to journey through a whimsical, ever-evolving world filled with emotional depth and sonic exploration.

At just 22 years old, Absolutely is already demonstrating considerable artistic maturity. Raised in a musical household in Tooting, London, she began writing and producing music alongside her father during childhood. By 13, she was independently crafting her own songs and, at 17, secured a publishing deal with S10 Entertainment. Throughout the pandemic, she honed her songwriting skills via Zoom sessions, which led to placements with high-profile artists like Anitta ("Amor Real"), Normani ("All Yours"), and Tinashe ("The Chase").

Her 2023 licensing deal with Epic Records paved the way for her debut album Cerebrum. Since then, she has earned co-writing credits on major radio hits, including Teddy Swims and Giveon’s "Are You Even Real," which topped the Adult R&B Airplay chart for two weeks. Despite these accomplishments, Absolutely maintains a deeply personal and hands-on creative process, often composing alone at the piano before layering production over minimalistic loops.

Speaking with Billboard in New York City ahead of her upcoming Radio City Music Hall shows, Absolutely revealed that much of Paracosm originated in intimate moments of solitude. "I'm so free in those moments by myself, and I can explore and take as much time as I want on any [element] without being perceived," she explained, highlighting the importance of creative independence to her work.

Currently supporting her sister RAYE and Amma on the final leg of the This Tour May Contain New Music tour, Absolutely shared insights into the album’s development and its accompanying animated project. The album title itself was discovered late in the creative process, inspired by a YouTube comment calling her a "paracosm." Intrigued by the word, she researched it and found it perfectly described the imaginative world she was crafting.

Reflecting on the transition from her debut to this new album, Absolutely recounted the challenges she faced. After Cerebrum’s release, she had an abundance of material, much of which was eventually set aside. She endured setbacks including multiple hard drive failures that resulted in lost Logic files. Instead of despairing, she embraced these moments as necessary, viewing them as opportunities to improve and refine her songs.

She described how re-creating lost tracks led to stronger versions that resonated more deeply with her vision. For example, the song "Painting by Numbers" underwent significant transformation, evolving from a lost recording to a fresh version featuring layered acoustic guitars that enhanced its dreamy quality. Despite complications when a producer shared part of the track with another party, Absolutely and her team adapted creatively to maintain the integrity of the sound.

Her creative process required a shift in mindset when she found herself stuck trying to craft a conventional “single.” The pressure to produce a commercial hit threatened to stifle her artistic freedom. To overcome this, she revisited the roots of her musical passion—free experimentation without rules, reminiscent of her childhood play with sounds. This approach led to key compositions like "Nowhere to Hide," which became a breakthrough moment in the album’s progression, followed by significant tracks such as "No Audience," "Goodbye Glitter," and the title track itself.

Melody plays a pivotal role in Absolutely’s songwriting. She has remarked that sometimes a melody can express emotions and stories more profoundly than lyrics alone. This is evident in tracks like "No Audience," where the vocal melody conveys narrative powerfully without needing words.

The visual aspect of Paracosm is equally important. Inspired by Polish and Russian folk art portraits, the album artwork incorporates intricate, symbolic imagery, including a 3D render of Absolutely’s face created in collaboration with Art Partner. The animation project accompanying the album features a carousel motif and numerous “Easter eggs” that connect the visuals to the music’s themes. Zarina Kyrgyzkhan, the 3D generalist, played a crucial role in bringing this vision to life, navigating extensive feedback from Absolutely.

Looking ahead, Absolutely plans to integrate the distinctive visual style of Paracosm into her live performances and future music videos. She envisions intimate venues where she can craft immersive experiences, complete with thematic costumes and elaborate stage designs that fully embody the album’s experimental aesthetic.

On the evolution of her sound, Absolutely has moved away from the “alien pop” label associated with her debut, which evoked intergalactic themes. She now embraces the term “experimental pop” to better describe her current musical identity. This shift reflects her ongoing commitment to creativity without constraints, continually pushing the boundaries of pop music through exploration and innovation.

With Paracosm, Absolutely not only honors the imaginative freedom of childhood but also stakes her claim as an emerging figure poised to influence pop’s future. Supported by her talented family and a team of seasoned collaborators, she is crafting a unique artistic path that promises to captivate and inspire audiences worldwide throughout 2026 and beyond.