keyboard shortcut

As a clarification: It would be nice (and eficient) if I could create a new album without being in the Album panel.

In lieu of a keyboard shortcut, and just in case you didn't already know - you don't have to click the small dropdown arrow next to the green plus symbol icon in the Albums Panel and then choose New Album from the menu that appears; just click on the green plus symbol itself to open up the New Album Panel on the right.

Also, if you select the images you want to put into a new album in the central media grid before you choose to create a New Album, when the New Album Panel opens those images will already be added.

If your using a Mac that might be possible using the System Preferences.

That is not possible.   Customization of KB shortcuts is only available in Premiere Elements, not in the Organizer or Photoshop Elements.

You can currently make feature requests here.