The R&B super star, Elaine has finally released her highly anticipated debut album, and we're absolutely feeling it! It’s hard to believe it's been five years since this talented singer-songwriter made her mark on the music scene with her chart-topping hit You're the One.
When asked what took her so long to drop this album, she confesses, “Life! I didn't expect for this journey to end up taking so long. Time flies; I could've sworn I started working on this album what feels like yesterday. The truth is, I've been actively and wholeheartedly working on it since 2020, with no breaks. Countless music camps all over the country, moving to LA, and bringing this soundscape that I had designed in my head to life required me to be fully present and immersed.”
Fans of the R&B chanteuse can’t stop raving about her 14-song album! They’ve been itching to dive into the whole project ever since the lead single, Waiting on You, dropped on August 2nd.
“Waiting On You gives very much core Elaine vibes, or at least the sound that they first met me through and so the reception was filled with so much warmth, love and nostalgia, which is always such a beautiful experience. It's also the only song on the album that sounds that way so it's very special,” she says.
Stone Cold Heart captures Elaine’s chaotic yet magical journey through her 20s. The album is a collection of stories from her life, reflecting the ups and downs she faced along the way. It took time for her to work through some tough moments, but now she appreciates that journey more than anything. It’s made her value her craft even more, turning those experiences into something truly special.
“I paid attention to every single detail, even the ones that seemed almost unnecessary. It was about being intentional in my story telling, in my sound and in the way that it's grown and developed.”
Elaine's sound has been continuously evolving since the release of her debut EP, Elements, in 2019. “It's what keeps everything exciting and fresh for me. It's what feeds my passion—knowing that there's parts of me and my talent that I've yet to explore and master. I'm always intentional in pushing the bar”
The Pretoria-born artist isn't one to stick to the same routine. She's always pushing herself to try new things and explore new places, which naturally flows into her music.
“With this project there just weren't no limits. I didn't limit myself in the things I chose to spoke about, and I didn't limit myself when it came to production either. I went all out and I really had a ball.”
When asked about the story behind her debut album’s title, “Stone Cold Heart,” Elaine explained, “It's the story about how I had to learn the difference between knowing when to stop being too much of anything that's not benefiting you—too nice, too understanding. It’s about the thin line between being a people person and being a people pleaser.”
The You The One hit-maker has been through a lot, often feeling like she was at a disadvantage, even though she always tried to be the bigger person with a good heart. This journey is all about taking back her power and fully embracing her truth.
“It's about letting my heart lead but not allowing it to paralyse me. Emotions can be paralysing if you don't have a grip over them,” she adds.
The new album has 14 tracks, and "Love Me Slowly" really shines with its cool vibe. The mix of R&B and rock throughout the record makes for an awesome listening experience.
Elaine released five singles with Columbia Records before transitioning to an independent music career.
“Everything is always learning curve, and I'm super grateful for the time I spent with Columbia. It was a big part of my life and I learned so much and made beautiful music that holds so many memories. More than anything I learned so much about the music business and what it truly means for a South African black woman in the space, its not easy but it's an amazing time to be alive and South African.”
Many artists entering the music scene often lose sight of who they are, which is why Elaine shares the advice she wishes she had received when she was starting out.
“There's a lot of people with a lot of ideas, a lot of opinions and a lot of agendas, and making sure that mine took as much space instead of prioritizing other people's feelings and agendas is something I've learned to master and wish I knew sooner,” she says.
The award-winning artist has shared her past battles with depression and imposter syndrome, but she’s feeling great these days. “My current vibe is living life to the fullest! I'm in a great space. I've done the hard work, and I'm slowly letting myself bask in what it feels like to be restored and renewed. I'm grateful to have my family and people that I trust around me who always lift me up and keep me in check.”
Elaine has had a fantastic year, travelling the world and gracing the GQ cover in August alongside Rosemary Zimu, Niquita Bento, Alyssa Conley and Khosi Ngema.
