Absolutely: South London’s Alt-R&B Standout To Watch In 2026

Last updated: September 26, 2026

Why Absolutely Belongs On Your Radar

  • Absolutely (Abby-Lynn Keen) is a South London alt-R&B artist in the OnesToWatch Class of 2026, known for a hypnotic, otherworldly sound.
  • Her sophomore album Paracosm arrived in February 2026 and showcases her songwriting across 13 tracks with rich, orchestral production.
  • She has toured with RAYE, debuted at Reading Festival, and collaborated with John Summit and the Jonas Brothers.
  • Absolutely is building a distinct identity beyond her sister RAYE’s career through live performances and genre-spanning features.
  • OnesToWatch highlights Absolutely as a rising force whose momentum points toward a major 2026 breakthrough.

Discover more rising artists on OnesToWatch.

Artist Context: How Abby-Lynn Keen Built Absolutely

OnesToWatch‘s Class of 2026 profile captures her appeal with a single line: “With a full-bodied, distinct voice that commands your attention with an ethereal draw, she’s establishing herself beautifully in the alt-R&B realm far outside her older sister Raye’s magnitude.” That quote sets the tone for how to hear her work. Absolutely is born Abby-Lynn Keen on 3 January 2004, the sister of RAYE and Amma, and signed a publishing deal with S10 Entertainment at age 17 and a licensing deal with Epic Records in 2023.

Her catalogue began with the debut album Cerebrum, released 17 November 2023, which established her voice in the alt-R&B and pop space. Paracosm followed on 20 February 2026 and deepened that identity across 13 tracks with a runtime of 41:07. Her authorship holds the record together, as she is credited as a writer on every track, with production from Danja, Jahaan Sweet, and M-Phazes.

Before stepping into the spotlight as a solo artist, Absolutely built her craft behind the scenes. Her songwriting credits include Jesy Nelson’s “Boyz” and Teddy Swims and Giveon’s “Are You Even Real,” alongside work for Normani, Anitta, and Leigh-Anne. That foundation of craft, combined with what OnesToWatch describes as “unwavering devotion to her faith and purpose,” gives her songs a clear sense of intention. The family connection surfaces most visibly on RAYE’s track “Joy.,” where Absolutely and Amma each deliver individual verses, and in the sunflower-filled Joymobile video that accompanied it.

The Fan Experience: Stepping Inside The World Of Paracosm

That grounding in songwriting is only half of what Absolutely offers. The OnesToWatch editorial also captures the visual dimension of her artistry with precision: “her visuals prove her artistry extends far beyond her vocal ability, offering everything that makes her brilliant to be a download from God.” The phrase “download from God” points to a coherent creative world that listeners can enter and explore.

Paracosm draws on childhood imagination and creative freedom. The album’s title references a paracosm, a detailed, private imaginary world, and Absolutely has described that universe as fully alive following her Reading Festival debut. Dork noted that the set brought “the joyful escapism of Paracosm to Reading” despite the rain. The production reinforces that expansive quality. Johan Lenox contributes strings and piano, Gracie Sprout plays harp, and a full horn section featuring Danny T. Levin on trombone and trumpet, Virginia Figueiredo on clarinet, and Gina Luciani on flute gives the record an orchestral warmth rarely found in emerging alt-R&B.

A packed outdoor amphitheatre crowd at night lit by stage lights.
Festival season is where tomorrow's headliners break — a sea of fans at an amphitheatre under the lights, most of them there to discover as much as to sing along.

Critical reception has matched the ambition. DIY magazine awarded Paracosm four out of five stars, and Shatter the Standards matched that rating (★★★★☆) in its 19 February 2026 review. Playlist support followed quickly. Her tracks appear on tastemaker lists including RAYE Greatest Hits (107K followers), MARINA: The Classics (82K followers), RAYE Complete Playlist (66K followers), and Experts Only Festival 2026 Official Playlist (John Summit, 22K followers).

Explore more artists like Absolutely on OnesToWatch.

Tour Dates: Absolutely’s Growing Live Footprint In 2026

Absolutely has been performing across North America as part of RAYE’s concert tour, and the venue list shows how quickly she has moved into large rooms across the continent. Confirmed stops include:

A performer on stage seen from behind facing a large concert crowd.
The view from the stage: the moment an artist and a sold-out crowd meet is the clearest signal of talent on the rise.
  • Channel 24, Sacramento — 31 March 2026
  • Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre, Vancouver — 2 April 2026
  • WaMu Theater, Seattle — 3 April 2026
  • State Theatre, Minneapolis — 8 April 2026
  • The Auditorium, Chicago — 10 April 2026
  • Coca-Cola Coliseum, Toronto — 13 April 2026
  • Radio City Music Hall, New York — 15–16 April 2026

Her festival presence is growing as well. Beyond the RAYE tour, Absolutely is scheduled to perform at Festival Corona Capital 2026 in Mexico City on 20 November 2026. Fans can stay current by following Absolutely’s official channels and checking venue websites for ticketing updates and newly added shows.

A behind-the-scenes tour moment outside a venue with crew and fans.
Behind every breakout run is the road — load-ins, guest lists, and the small moments that turn a tour into a story worth telling.

What’s Next: Charts, Collaborations, And Momentum

Paracosm has already made an impact on the charts. The album peaked at number 71 on the Official Scottish Albums Chart and number 39 on the UK Albums Sales Chart in June 2026.

On the collaboration front, 2026 has placed Absolutely alongside a wide range of artists. She appears on RAYE’s album THIS MUSIC MAY CONTAIN HOPE. (released 27 March 2026), John Summit’s album CTRL ESCAPE (released 15 April 2026), and Jonas Brothers’ album Friends From Your Hometown (released 13 March 2026). The spread from electronic to pop to family-driven R&B shows how naturally her voice fits across genres while keeping its core character.

See the full Top 30 Artists To Watch in 2026.

Why Absolutely’s OnesToWatch Class Of 2026 Nod Matters

OnesToWatch selected Absolutely as a member of its Class of 2026, an annual list of 30 emerging artists identified through the platform’s editorial pipeline. The selection focuses on authentic artistry, a distinct vocal presence, live performance potential, and long-term trajectory. In Absolutely’s case, a critically reviewed sophomore album, a North American arena tour, a Reading Festival debut, and high-profile collaborations with RAYE, John Summit, and the Jonas Brothers made her inclusion a clear editorial choice.

See Her Before The Rest Of The World Catches On

Absolutely is the kind of artist listeners remember discovering early. The OnesToWatch Class of 2026 designation recognizes momentum already in motion, from a widely praised album to arena stages, festival slots, and cross-genre collaborations. The window to experience her at this stage is open now and will keep narrowing as her audience grows.

Dive into more OnesToWatch Class of 2026 artists.

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