Before working with artists such as electronic duo HONNE or Cuco, Panamanian singer-songwriter Sofía Valdés had already carved out a corner in pop music for her honest, introspective musings. Coming from a musical family, Valdés emphasizes her vocals and guitar playing across her still-growing discography, staying true to what it means to be a singer-songwriter.
Although she fell in love with songwriting during her upbringing in Panama, it wasn’t until the pandemic, when she had to move back to Panama from London, that she decided to commit to music and dropped “Little Did I Know,” an acoustic, pop-leaning lament that, understandably, remains among her most popular.
2021’s Ventura came not long after her debut, formally introducing listeners to Valdés through mellow jams and bilingual lyrics that remain passionate no matter the language. “Handful of Water,” one of the more well-known songs out of Valdés’ catalog, exemplifies the easygoing attitude she exudes through relaxed production that is reflective of her singing style. Even at her most introspective or sorrowful, the quality of her music always shines through and seeks to console rather than arrest oneself to one’s emotions.
Her last two singles, collaborations with Cuco and DannyLux, show how Valdés stands out even when paired next to her peers. The DannyLux-featuring “Lento” deals in Valdés’ familiar brand of melancholic guitar-driven pop, this time opting for a duet between the two artists. The dusty instrumentation compliments their soft vocals, not jumping out in contrast or causing any abrasive collisions in harmony.
Whether it’s her autobiographical recounts of memories like getting heartbroken in Amsterdam on “Amsterdam” or the many times she plays guitar on one of her tracks, it’s easy to distinguish Valdés from others in the pop sphere who similarly made personal reflection a trademark in their sound. Despite initially studying in London after previously moving to the United States to hone in on her songwriting, the speed at which she’s not only garnered an audience but honed in on her craft at relatively the same rate is something to marvel at, especially with how increasingly rare something like that happens in pop, in particular.
Words: David Sosa
“Lento” by Sofía Valdés is out now on streaming services. For more on new music and potential shows, follow her on Instagram and her website.
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