Rowlene is figuring out which strings to keep attached

Rowlene Nicole Bosman, known professionally as Rowlene, is releasing her new album Some Strings Attached today. The album features a collection of smooth, traditional R&B ballads that reflect on the relationships in her life, both personal and professional, and the lessons they've imparted. The 29-year-old singer-songwriter, born in Cape Town, draws inspiration from the emotional depth of these connections, emphasizing how they shape her identity and artistic expression. Rowlene first rose to prominence through her collaboration with rapper Nasty C on the 2018 hit SMA, which has amassed over 20 million streams on Spotify. Their partnership continued with additional tracks such as I Need You, which appeared on the soundtrack of the Netflix series Blood & Water. Rowlene was among the initial artists signed to Nasty C's label, Tall Racks Records, but she left after two years to return to independent work. She described the experience as challenging, noting the difficulty of aligning creative visions and the pressure of meeting external expectations. “It’s hard to explain a vision to people who have an entirely different one for you,” she said. “There’s a hierarchy at a certain point and I was also still figuring out whether music was even something I wanted to pursue.” Despite the challenges, Rowlene found the experience both humbling and rewarding. She advises emerging artists to spend time developing their craft before entering formal contracts, warning against the overwhelming nature of industry expectations. “Being signed when you’re not yet sure of yourself is tough,” she explained. “I’d advise any artist to develop themselves for a year or two before signing anything because the expectations become overwhelming.” She noted that while the experience made her more grounded, it also stripped away some of her earlier spontaneity. “I’m still very whimsical but I lost a lot of that during that time and I needed to find it again. With this album, it finally sounds like Rowlene. Not just R&B or pop or alternative. Me. It has my stamp on it.” Rowlene’s debut album, 11:11, released in 2020, earned her a South African Music Award nomination for Best Pop Album. Since then, she has consistently released singles and EPs, but Some Strings Attached marks her first studio album in six years. During a recent interview, she discussed the influence of classic R&B acts like Joe Thomas and The Isley Brothers, whom she believes inspired the album’s sound. When asked about the reference to The Isley Brothers, she laughed, recalling an anecdote about educating a friend on the group’s significance. “I was trying to educate my friend on The Isley Brothers because he didn’t know who Alex Isley was,” she said. “I went down a whole rabbit hole with him. I was just like: ‘How do you not know who The Isley Brothers are?’ And I was just like: ‘Okay, you’re white. So it shouldn’t surprise me.’” The title Some Strings Attached originated from an initial acoustic project that evolved into a full album. Rowlene explained that the concept was initially tied to the idea of how each string on a guitar contributes to the overall sound. However, as the project progressed, it expanded into a broader exploration of human relationships. “It’s about the extensions of relationships we face as individuals,” she said. “I don’t know if you believe in the invisible string theory or soul ties. There’s always been someone who significantly changed my life or significantly ruined me but each part played a part in the character I’m playing today.” In discussing her songwriting process, Rowlene emphasized its organic nature. “It depends on the day,” she said. “Sometimes we’re chilling in the studio and because of the melodies, I feel like the song is already a story of some kind. I’m just here to collaborate. You can’t really make music without musicians, so I’m very respectful when it comes to giving people credit.”