With her debut album AngelPink on the way, Keni Titus is in a reflective, but very real, place creatively. Her new single “hands to myself” sits in that familiar in-between of curiosity and self-control, touching on the kinds of thoughts you usually keep to yourself. AngelPink comes from a period of figuring things out rather than having everything neatly mapped, moving through vulnerability, contradiction, and learning how to be a little kinder to yourself along the way.

In this 18 Questions, Titus talks about the everyday habits that keep her grounded, how her relationship with songwriting has shifted, and what it was like learning to trust her own instincts while making this album. She also opens up about sharing songs live, letting go of perfection, and allowing the music to feel lighter and more communal once it leaves her hands. 

1. What’s the first thing you usually do when you wake up in the morning?

I drink the water my evening self left for me on my bedside table and then unfortunately I probably check my phone. 



2. What’s a small daily habit that helps keep you grounded?

I make sure I go for a walk everyday.



3. When you’re feeling overwhelmed, what’s your go to reset?

I make a to-do list of all the things stressing me out and when I can see them in order it makes it seem like I actually don’t have that much to do. I also take a deep breath and tell myself I can do hard things. I know that sounds silly but it works.



4. Where do you feel most at peace when you need time to yourself?

Anywhere I have complete solitude. And a snack. 



5. What’s something that always makes you laugh, no matter your mood?

My friend Conor or my younger brother. 


6. What song do you return to when you need comfort rather than inspiration?

“What Goes Around Comes Around” by Justin Timberlake. 



7. When do you feel most like yourself during a typical week?

Dancing in the mirror or talking to myself.  



8. What’s something you believed about yourself a few years ago that no longer feels true?

I used to think I had the absolute worst taste and my opinion was always wrong but now I’m like ‘wait girl you actually know things’.


9. How do you usually know when you need to slow down?

If I start crying a lot out or having breakdowns from stress that is my indicator..



10. What does a perfect day off look like for you right now?

Wake up, make my latte, sit in bed and watch Gilmore girls, go for a morning walk. Then come home and make something delicious for breakfast, eat it in my bed with my show still on. I would then take an everything shower and have unlimited time to give myself a blowout. After that I’d call my parents and my brother. To end the day, I would have dinner with someone I love and then go get yogurt for dessert. I would be in bed by 10, face washed, hair brushed, matching pajama set ON. I would fall asleep exactly when I decided, no tossing or turning. And that’s probably my perfect day. 


11. “hands to myself” sits with temptation and quiet curiosity. What first sparked the idea for this song?

I was in my very first co writing session with these two amazing songwriters in Nashville and I think I just talked about my life, basically word vomited and we just ended up at ‘hands to myself.’



12. You’ve described AngelPink as a process of losing yourself and then coming home. What did “coming home” actually mean for you while making this record?

When I was writing this album, I was obsessing over everything wrong with me and how horrible of a person I am, which sounds crazy now but was necessary. To me, that was a world shattering thought to have since my whole life I’d prided myself on being the opposite. I explored those sorts of feelings and worked through them writing this album. Coming home means to me that it’s okay to make mistakes. That doesn’t make me a horrible person, it makes me human.

13. This album leans into honesty and vulnerability. Was there a moment during the writing where that felt especially challenging?

I think it was challenging before I decided that it was okay.


14. How has your relationship with songwriting changed since your earlier EPs?

This record was the first time I was able to co-write and end up with a song I actually loved. That was something I never thought I’d be able to do. I definitely see songwriting in a more fun light now opposed to a locked in my tower digging through the mud for emotions kind of thing.  


15. The record explores femininity and contradiction. How do those ideas show up in your everyday life now?

Literally in the flavor ice cream I choose if I know someone’s watching me. It’s all day every day.

16. What did making AngelPink teach you about trusting your own instincts as an artist?

It taught me that although there will always be people smarter than me or more experienced, nobody knows me better than I do.



17. How does performing these new songs live change the way you hear them yourself?

I think performing my songs live makes them feel shared which I like. It’s cool to see in real life which part people like to sing or which song is their favorite. I think it makes them less precious and just more fun to me. 



18. As listeners step into AngelPink for the first time, what do you hope they connect with most?

To me, it’s less what they connect with and more that they connect. The worst thing I could do is create a piece of art that makes someone feel nothing. 

Keni’s debut album Angelpink out February 6, 2026. Pre-save here.

Follow via @kenititus