Rowlene’s second studio album, Some Strings Attached, explores relationships, friendship, personal change and the expectations that come with both life and a music career. The 10-track project follows her 2020 debut album, 11:11, and offers a more personal look at experiences that have shaped her in recent years.

The album’s title reflects the different kinds of connections Rowlene has experienced. In an interview with KFM Top 40, she explained that the “strings” extend beyond romantic relationships to include friendships and her career. Some of those connections have changed as she has grown, while others have challenged her expectations of where she thought she would be at this stage of her life.

Photo: Instagram/@Rowlene

Love and heartbreak remain important themes throughout the album. “Last Seen”, released ahead of the project, deals with leaving a relationship and finding yourself after it ends. The song introduced the personal direction of the album while setting up some of the themes explored in the tracks that followed.

“Hurts 2b Reminded” looks at the memories that can resurface after a relationship ends. The song also connects to Rowlene’s experiences with friendships that have changed over time. She has spoken about losing friends not through conflict, but because their lives eventually moved in different directions.

“Bittersweet”, featuring IAN LOVLY, continues the album’s focus on relationships and personal change. Released ahead of the full project, the track adds another perspective to Rowlene’s exploration of attachment and the emotions that come with relationships changing.

Photo: Instagram/@Rowlene

The album also turns towards Rowlene’s relationship with herself. “Don’t Miss You Like B4” addresses an earlier version of the singer and reflects on how her perspective has changed. The track also introduces a different sound, leaning further into pop while retaining elements of her R&B style.

That shift is part of what makes the album varied. Rowlene stays within the R&B space she has become known for, while allowing different sounds and approaches across the tracklist.

Photo: Instagram/@Rowlene

The project follows years of collaborations and solo releases. Rowlene first gained wider attention through collaborations, including Nasty C’s “SMA”, before building her own catalogue. Her songs “Cupid”, “Stay” and “I Need You” also appeared on the Blood & Water soundtrack, introducing her music to an international audience.

Since 11:11, she has continued developing her sound through singles and projects, including the 2025 EP Moments After. Some Strings Attached now brings those experiences together in a project centred on relationships, change and the parts of the past that can continue to influence the present.

Photo: Instagram/@Rowlene

For Rowlene, the album is not limited to romantic heartbreak. It considers friendships that have changed, relationships that have ended, career expectations that have shifted and the process of becoming more comfortable with who she is now.

With Some Strings Attached, Rowlene gives listeners a closer look at the experiences behind her music while expanding the story she began with 11:11.

South African music has plenty to offer this week, with new releases moving across hip-hop, amapiano, house and electronic music. From Kewand and Zoocci Coke Dope’s latest collaboration to a new project from Culoe De Song, these are the tracks worth adding to your playlist.

Kewand feat. Zoocci Coke Dope — “Tell A Vision”

Photo – Instagram

Kewand teams up with Zoocci Coke Dope on “Tell A Vision”, a hip-hop single released on 14 August. The track combines rock textures with trap drums and atmospheric production, giving the song a darker sound.

The title plays on the word “television” and connects it to the idea of turning ambition into something tangible. The song focuses on creative drive, pressure and the pursuit of a new chapter.

Zoocci Coke Dope is also known for his work as a rapper and producer, making the collaboration a natural meeting point between two sides of his musical background.

DJ Kayd Boizen, Mntomnandi, Ama Grootman and SoulQue — “Nkosi Ngiphe Amandla”

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“Nkosi Ngiphe Amandla” brings a spiritual theme to an amapiano production. The collaboration between DJ Kayd Boizen, Mntomnandi, Ama Grootman and SoulQue was released on 14 August and centres on faith, perseverance and the search for strength during difficult times.

The title translates to “God, Give Me Strength”, reflecting the song’s focus on faith and resilience. Its vocals are set against log drums and melodic passages, combining the message with a familiar amapiano arrangement.

It is a useful addition for listeners who want an amapiano track with a more reflective lyrical focus.

Zakes Bantwini, Sun-El Musician and kisskisskiss — “Impatient”

Photo – Instagram

Zakes Bantwini teams up with Sun-El Musician and kisskisskiss on “Impatient”, released through Anjunadeep on 11 August. The track appears alongside “You Never Know” as part of a two-song release.

The collaboration brings together two established figures in South African dance music, with Sun-El Musician adding his melodic electronic sensibility to the production.

“Impatient” should appeal to listeners who prefer club-oriented electronic music, while the collaboration also places two influential South African dance artists on the same release.

Culoe De Song — “Moonhound”

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Culoe De Song released the Moonhound EP on 14 August through Crosstown Rebels. The project includes the title track, “The Spiker” and two remixes by Manoo.

The release stays within Culoe De Song’s house and electronic territory, offering a different direction from the amapiano-led releases dominating much of the current South African mainstream.

The four-track project gives listeners a chance to hear Culoe De Song in a format built around electronic production, with the Manoo remixes adding another dimension to the release.

A Week of Different Sounds

Photo – Instagram

What stands out about this week’s selections is the range of styles. “Tell A Vision” takes a darker approach to hip-hop, “Nkosi Ngiphe Amandla” brings a spiritual theme to amapiano, while “Impatient” and Moonhound move into house and electronic territory.

For a starting point, try “Tell A Vision” if you want a harder hip-hop sound, “Nkosi Ngiphe Amandla” for amapiano, and “Impatient” or Moonhound when you want to move towards house and electronic music.

South African music continues to move across genres, and this week’s releases offer a good snapshot of that range.

De Mthuda has released his new eight-track EP, Noise, featuring collaborations with Sam Deep, Ntokzin, Zar Keys, Spumante, Mnqobi Yazo, Mpumyza, Mas Musiq, DJ Maphorisa and Acatears.

The EP arrived on August 7 following a staggered rollout, with several tracks released ahead of the full project. Speaking to IOL, De Mthuda said the approach was intentional, allowing listeners to hear the music gradually instead of receiving the entire EP at once.

The project includes tracks such as “Skuta”, “Sasingenjena”, “Skuta Reloaded”, “Noise”, “High Heels”, “Baleka” and “Ubuhle Bakho (Noise Reshuffle)”, with the songs bringing together different combinations of artists across the tracklist.

“Skuta” opens the project, followed by “Sasingenjena”, which features Mnqobi Yazo and Kabza De Small. “Skuta Reloaded” features Mpumyza, while “Noise” pairs De Mthuda with Zar Keys. “High Heels” features Spumante.

Photo: Instagram/@De Mthuda

The EP’s focus track, “Baleka”, brings together De Mthuda and Ntokzin, with Nobuhle on vocals. The project closes with “Ubuhle Bakho (Noise Reshuffle)”, featuring Mas Musiq, DJ Maphorisa and Acatears alongside De Mthuda.

For De Mthuda, the title Noise reflects freedom, particularly the freedom to think, create and express himself without being restricted by expectations.

Photo: Instagram/@De Mthuda

The release follows his 2025 album, Mthuthuzeli, and adds another project to a catalogue that includes The Landlord 2.0, Baba Yaga and Sgudi Snyc.

With Noise, De Mthuda continues to work with a mix of established and emerging names within Amapiano while keeping his production at the centre of the project. The eight-track EP gives listeners a concise look at his latest work and the collaborators shaping it.

Noise is available to stream now.