Sofia Cordoba – Symptom of Love
Colombian singer-songwriter Sofia Cordoba today unveils a new single, “Symptom of Love,” marking her first official release in English. The track premiered on BBC Radio 6 Music this week, and is accompanied by a music video self-directed by Cordoba and Esmé Thompson.
Based in Bogotá, Cordoba’s been releasing music in Spanish since 2023, opening arenas in South America and building anticipation for “Symptom of Love.” A catchy, acoustic guitar-driven pop ballad, the track shows a glimpse into the breadth of her sonic influences. Cordoba’s fresh voice and diary-like songwriting is reminiscent of the best of the 2000s and is quickly drawing global attention. Produced by Chris Deyo Braun (Zach Bryan) and mixed by Chris Tabron (Beyoncé, The Strokes, Erykah Badu), the new song moves her into new territory and reflects the emotional duality of her upbringing.
Cordoba shares, “[‘Symptom of Love’] came out of wanting to turn a negative emotion like missing someone you love into a positive one. Loneliness and grief are often just a lot of love with nowhere to go.”
Rather than a departure, it is a natural extension of how Cordoba has always worked. She continues, “A lot of my favorite music is in English, and I grew up speaking and writing in both languages. Since I started writing songs, I have constantly switched between the two because they allow me to access different parts of myself. I feel very lucky to be able to express myself in both languages since they each lend themselves to very different kinds of narratives and emotions.”
Raised on her parents’ music and early exposure to live shows, Cordoba found connection through music from a young age. A shy kid, she began with piano before moving to guitar at eight, eventually writing her first songs as a teenager. Her influences range widely, from Gustavo Cerati and Charly García to Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen, Lana Del Rey and Shakira.
Growing up in Colombia played a major role in shaping her voice. “Music was everywhere, it felt like the one thing that could bring a very polarized country together. There are also so many different influences and sounds blending together here.”
At its core, Cordoba’s work is about connection. “Music has always been a means of connection for me. What I want most is for people to feel understood, and hopefully feel connected to my words and to each other.”
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