Rowlene Reclaims Her Story With New Album “Some Strings Attached”
Rowlene Reclaims Her Story With New Album “Some Strings Attached.” Cape Town-born singer-songwriter Rowlene has officially released her highly anticipated new album Some Strings Attached, opening a deeply personal chapter shaped by heartbreak, self-discovery and creative renewal.
The 10-track project arrived on Friday, 21 August, with Rowlene celebrating the moment with her signature energy. “AHOOOOOY!! WE ARE LIIIIIVEEEEEEEEE. SOME STRINGS ATTACHED IS OUT!!!” she announced to fans, describing the album as a body of work that “carries soooo much of my heart.”
The singer also took time to acknowledge the people who helped bring the project to life, thanking those who stood by her through the “late nights, chaos, tears, laughter and every impossible idea.”
Among the collaborators she credited were @itcanonlybelove, @jesseclegg, @shuttergasm_x, @thekurtexperience, @jaime.frankleyne and @warrxck. Rowlene made it clear that although the album carries her name, it was shaped by a wider creative community.
“This chapter may have my name on it, but your fingerprints are all over it,” she wrote. “The album is finally yours. I hope you find a piece of yourself in it.”
Some Strings Attached represents an important evolution for the 29-year-old artist, who first gained widespread recognition through her distinctive vocals on Nasty C’s multi-platinum hit “SMA”. She later released her debut album 11:11 in 2020, earning a South African Music Award nomination for Best Pop Album.
Her earlier catalogue also produced fan favourites such as “Cupid,” “Stay” and “I Need You”, the latter featuring Nasty C. Several of her songs from that era appeared on the soundtrack of Netflix’s Blood & Water, further introducing her sound to audiences beyond South Africa.
On her latest album, Rowlene turns inward. While her earlier music often explored romance, vulnerability and emotional tension through trap-soul and ballad-driven production, Some Strings Attached places greater emphasis on heartbreak, independence and the difficult process of rebuilding one’s identity.
The singer has previously explained that the album was influenced by the end of a long-term relationship and the personal journey that followed.
“Over the last couple of years, I had to learn to rebuild and find myself,” she said in a promotional video. “Every song kind of traces the processes of that in every different way.”
She added that the project is for anyone who has experienced the loss of a lover or a friend, positioning the album as a deeply relatable account of navigating change and emotional separation.
The singles “Hurts 2b Reminded” and “Bittersweet”, featuring IAN LOVLY, offered an early glimpse into the album’s intimate direction. “Hurts 2b Reminded” in particular leans into sparse production and reflective songwriting, exploring memories, lost connections and the friendships that can fall away while someone is focused on personal growth.
At just over 25 minutes, Some Strings Attached is a concise and focused listen that allows Rowlene’s vocals and songwriting to remain at the centre. Her approach continues to stand apart from the dominant sounds of South African popular music, with the singer maintaining her commitment to slow-burning R&B, soul and subtle Afro-influenced textures.
Rowlene will take the new material to the stage almost immediately, with her official album launch scheduled for Saturday, 22 August, at Hard Rock Cafe Johannesburg in Sandton. The show begins at 6 pm, with another appearance set for 30 August at Marks Park Sports Club in Randburg.
For an artist who initially became known as a standout voice on other artists’ records, Some Strings Attached represents a confident step further into her own spotlight. More than a decade after beginning to develop her craft through school choir performances in Elsies River, Rowlene now delivers a project that captures both her vulnerability and her growth.
Some Strings Attached is available now across major streaming platforms.
