The iconic four-piece have shared their first new music in 40 years!
Image: Baillie Walsh
WE'RE NOT CRYING, YOU'RE CRYING! The most iconic four-piece of all time, everyones favourite Swedish musicians are back, that's right ABBA are back. Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Fältskog, Benny Anderson and Anni-Frid Lyngstad have treated fans with two new songs, and the announcement of their new live concert experience, ABBA Voyage.
Let's start with the new music shall we? TALK ABOUT NOSTALGIA! I Still Have Faith In You and Don't Shut Me Down bring all of that ABBA charm we love them for. Recorded together at Benny’s studio Riksmixningsverket in Stockholm, the four-piece reformed once again to record two new songs for their virtual live concert experience. Two turned into a handful, a handful turned into an album. Due out this November, Voyage is the answer to fourty years worth of prayers from ABBA fans.
Bringing their signature melodic keys, captivating harmonies, evocative lyricism and that signature ABBA flair and drama, the tracks, are a welcomed return and everything we've been hoping for and more. Hearing Fältskog and Lyngstad's voices together again once more is an emotional moment for any ABBA fan. I Still Have Faith In You is an ode to the band themselves, reconnecting after so many years to once again share their art with one another and their appreciation for each other.
“Those first sessions back in 2018 were such fun and when Benny called and asked if I’d consider singing some more I jumped at it! And what songs!! My respect and love go out to these exceptionally talented, truly genius songwriters! Such joy it was to work with the group again. I am so happy with what we have made, and I dearly hope our fans feel the same.” says Lyngstad.
Fältskog adds, “When we got back together in the studio I had no idea what to expect...But Benny’s recording studio is such a friendly and safe environment, and before I knew it I was really enjoying myself! I can hardly believe that finally, the moment has come to share this with the world!”
Now, onto the live experience. ABBA Voyage is a revolutionary new concert experience that will bring the four-piece back to the stage, performing digitally with a live 10-piece band. Did we mention they're building their own arena just for ABBA Voyage? Well they are. The arena will be constructed in London and will house the live experience from May next year. The digital versions of ABBA have been created through the use of archival footage, with the implementation of motion-capture on present day ABBA who performed every song from the concert in front of 160 cameras. Working with a team of 850 from Industrial Light & Magic, the experience is set to bring the magic of ABBA to life, bringing the 1979 era of the band to the stage.
Of the experience, Anderson shares: “We simply call it Voyage and we’re truly sailing in uncharted waters. With the help of our younger selves, we travel into the future. It’s not easy to explain but then it hasn’t been done before.” “It’s hard to say what’s been the most joyful thing for me with this project. If it’s the involvement in creating the concert together with everyone or being back in the studio together again after 40 years. I think hearing Frida and Agnetha singing again is hard to beat. When you come to the arena you will have the four of us together with an absolutely glorious 10-piece band. And even if not in the flesh, we will be right there, thanks to the work of the creative team and ILM.”
“They’re such amazing singers those two, I was completely floored by the way they delivered those songs. They’re true musicians; totally unimpressed by pop star glamour but still having a great time being creative in a recording studio. The “Voyage” project has injected new life into us in more ways than one.”“So, again, thanks for waiting! We hope to see you in the “ABBA Arena” and yes -see -because we have infused a good deal of our souls into those avatars. It’s not an exaggeration to say that we’re back.” says Ulvaeus.
Voyage is out November 5, and is available for pre-order. Tickets for ABBA Voyage are on sale from 10am Sunday September 5th for fans who have pre-ordered the album from the official ABBA store, and from 10am MondaySeptember 6th for those who have pre-registered. General on sale commences 10am Tuesday September 7th.
I Still Have Faith In You and Don't Shut Me Down are out not! Listen to the songs below.
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