In 1981, world-renowned pop group ABBA released their last album The Visitors. But now, 40 years later, they’ve turned “last” into “penultimate”. The Swedish quartet and Eurovision 1974 champions have reunited and released the brand new LP Voyage.
Voyage features ten new ABBA songs, from catchy pop tracks to emotional-hitting ballads. This includes the pre-released singles “Just A Notion”, “I Still Have Faith In You” and “Don’t Shut Me Down”.
The album is being released in each country at midnight local time. So as soon as the clock strikes 00:00 on 5th November where you are, you’ll be able to begin the Voyage into ABBA’s latest, and officially final, body of work.
ABBA – Voyage
Despite it being 40 years since their last release, Voyage is not meant to be a complete overhaul of ABBA’s sound that attempts to bring them in line with contemporary music. Instead, running throughout all of it is an atmosphere of nostalgia, which harks back to the ABBA so many people loved in the ‘70s and early ‘80s.
In their preview article of the album, Rolling Stone magazine state Voyage is “on par with their classic 1970s run. It evokes the days when the Norse gods ruled the radio, combining two of the Seventies’ hottest trends: heartbreak and sequin-studded pantsuits.”
Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad achieved world-wide fame after winning Eurovision 1974 with “Waterloo”. Yet, all these years later, ABBA still haven’t faced theirs and they continue to be a juggernaut in the musical landscape.
ABBA – Voyage (The story behind the album)
The new album comes as the group are set to unleash their ABBA Voyage digital concert series in 2022. Fans will be able to see Agnetha, Björn, Benny and Anni-Frid’s avatars come to life accompanied by a ten-piece live band, in a custom-built arena at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London.
ABBA have released a new trailer for the concert, which gives us a glimpse into what these digital figures will look like.
Whilst this ABBA revival was certainly a pleasant surprise, we won’t be getting any more surprises in the future. The group have confirmed “this is it” and that their musical Voyage ends here.
So all that’s left to say is … thank you for the music ABBA!
What do you make of ABBA’s return after 40 years? Which of the songs from Voyage is your favourite? Let us know all your thoughts in the comments below.
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Biggest pop comeback in years or decades. Carefully planned, high technology for their live shows and their new music is aimed to all the 70s fans with nostalgia. I am not a big fan of all the new songs, i’m mostly into the 2 singles they released earlier which have very good lyrics.
ABBA is back! Unfortunately them releasing their entire album now means that an ABBA return to Eurovision is unlikely, but who knows, maybe we’ll see them as an interval act at Melodifestivalen, or maybe even ESC.
I think we will never see them back on stage again. That’s why they created this avatar show.
exactly they will be back on stage and that’s why i love them so much. They know what’s good and what’s not. Performing again wouldn’t look good (they are over 70, imagine them dancing at Mamma mia or singing live for hours? they ain’t Cher), they are not desperate for attention and they want to live their life and expect others to respect their privacy. I have big respect for them for wanting to keep it humble.
Also, the abbatars is an exciting idea and perhaps the future of live shows.
“and perhaps the future of live shows.”
Idk. I cannot see myself clapping to holograms.