I’m #Keen for the Keen Sisters

Last summer, I fell into the rabbit hole of Absolutely, after coming across a TikTok of a live
performance. I remember seeing this woman with red locs, headphones, and a Tim Burton-esque
inspired outfit. (Also her stage presence..? Magnetic. Vocals..? I felt like I was getting entranced
by a siren). Before this, I’d never heard the song she was singing, but it stood out to me, as it was
something really different from what I’d ever heard before. It was like, dark-dramatic pop, with
gospel influences, but also a strong guitar riff. This song turned out to be “I Just Don’t Know You
Yet” by Absolutely (Abby-Lynn Keen).

Turns out, she was the younger sister of Grammy-Award Winning Artist Raye (Rachel Agatha
Keen)

I was caught off guard, because I had no clue they were related, as visually they were so
different. Raye had more of vintage glamour, whereas Absolutely had a whimsical dark edge.

I’ve always been curious about one’s artistic expression. So naturally, I wondered how
Absolutely must’ve felt, as her viral moment became linked to her sister’s success in the
comments. I found myself coming back to the post continuously over weeks. I learned that she’s
opened for her sister before, performing on big stages like the O2 Arena in London a few years
ago. Ironically, she garnered more attention on a smaller stage opening for the artist Banks.

Even though the comments referred to her as “Raye’s sister,” I felt that she’s made her presence
as an individual artist. Many artists started to follow and share her music on social media, and
new fans demanded for more music.

Right now, Raye is wrapping up her European leg of the This Tour May Contain New Music
tour, with the opening acts being her sisters, Absolutely and Amma (Lauren Keen). If you have a
minute, search up “Joy Live Performance – Raye, Absolutely and Amma.” You’ll see that each
sister has such a different style, vocally and physically.

That brings me back to my curiosity of if Absolutely feels as if her success is in the shadow of
her sister’s. I don’t think so at all. In fact, I think that Raye has made it an effort to highlight both
of her sisters’ music while encouraging their individuality. I think that this nuance has allowed
each sister to succeed on their own.

Artistic expression is so important, and in order for that to be recognized it has to be individual,
accumulated and different.

The Keen Sisters are all coming to North America pretty soon, and will be in Sacramento,
performing at Channel 24 pretty soon. I will do whatever it takes to get a ticket. Whatever. It.
takes. Believe that.