After 40 years, everyone’s favourite dancing queens (and kings) are finally returning to a completely new generation with their new album, and a new concert for fans to enjoy their music once again.
ABBA last performed together on December 11 1982, a concert which at the time nobody knew would be their last.
As years went by, the band’s two male members Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus continued their music and songwriting as they stepped into the world of musicals, including Chess and of course Mamma Mia.
Agnetha Fältskog, meanwhile, found success after the band’s split with three albums as well as a lead role in a movie. However, she took time away from the limelight for 16 years, and it wasn’t until 2004 that she returned with more music.
Anni-Frid Lyngstad also continued her solo career after ABBA split, but it only brought her mixed success. In 1992, she went on to marry Prince Heinrich Ruzzo of Reuss, Count of Plauen, meaning she held the title Princess Reuss and Countess of Plauen.
ABBA ARE BACK with ‘Voyage’, a brand new album and revolutionary concert. Listen to two brand new songs now and pre-order ‘Voyage’ from the official store for first access to tickets. For more info, link in our bio. @ABBAVoyage #ABBAVoyage #ABBA
— ABBA (@ABBA) September 2, 2021
Now, the four are back together with the announcement earlier this week of a new ten-track album, and virtual concert – both titled ‘Voyage’.
This concert mixes ABBA’s timeless music with cutting-edge modern technology, as digital versions of the band’s members (not holographic, as they continually assert on) will appear as their younger selves alongside a 10-piece live band.
It is due to begin in May 2022 at a newly-built, 3,000-capacity venue named the Abba Arena in East London.
The band’s digital avatars have been created using motion capture technology, the type of which is usually seen in Hollywood blockbusters for CGI beasts. The group spent several weeks in skin-tight suits so they could create their younger selves for the concert.
Fans from around the world – ones who were there when they last performed, and others of our generation who weren’t even born when they parted – will be very (emphasis on the very) excited and keen to get their hands on the tickets for the virtual concert.
Tickets will go on sale on September 7.
The new album that comes before their concert will be released on November 5 2021 (remember remember the 5th of November) with the ten new tracks.
This will include the two they already released to their fans when the announcement was made – ‘I Still Have Faith In You’ and ‘Don’t Shut Me Down’ – and a Christmas track alongside their others.
I think we know what Christmas number one this year might be…
In our own words.
Agnetha, Björn, Benny, Anni-Frid. @ABBAVoyage #ABBAVoyage #ABBA— ABBA (@ABBA) September 2, 2021
‘I Still Have Faith In You’ is a slower track of the two, but it reminds us of the wide range ABBA has with their music.
They have the more soulful ballads, with such meaningful lyrics. Then they have the dance classics which are guaranteed to get you up on your feet once the chorus hits. ‘I Still Have Faith In You’ is the side of the more soulful ballads.
The opening lines capture the spirit of the song immediately, stating “I still have faith in you, I see it now / Through all these years that faith lives on”.
It’s almost as if straight away they are singing not only to their fans but also to themselves, stating that after so many years away from their fans and fame, they must still believe that they are as great as they always have been.
The second track released, ‘Don’t Shut Me Down’, leans more to the side of their music range that once the chorus hits, you are up on your feet.
The slower tempo we are eased into allows you to take into the lyrics and makes you think it is going to be one of their slower hits. However, as I’ve already mentioned, the chorus hits and before you know it, you are singing “I’m fired up, I’m hot, don’t shut me down” at the top of your lungs.
Generations of past and present do not have long to wait now for ABBA’s new music and reunion.
This reunion from such an iconic group in the music world will definitely go down as a highlight of the year, the decade and maybe even the century.
Feature Image Credit: ABBA Facebook