Introduction
ABBA Returns with New Songs and Album After 40 Years
Legendary Swedish pop group ABBA has officially returned to the global music scene with their first new album in nearly four decades. On September 2, 2021, the band announced the release of Voyage, marking their first studio album since 1981’s The Visitors. This historic comeback has thrilled fans around the world, many of whom have waited for decades to hear new material from one of pop music’s most iconic groups.
ABBA, consisting of Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad, rose to fame in the 1970s with global hits like “Dancing Queen,” “Mamma Mia,” and “Waterloo.” Despite disbanding in 1982, their music never faded from public memory, thanks to continued popularity, musicals like Mamma Mia!, and countless covers.
The band revealed two new songs, I Still Have Faith in You and Don’t Shut Me Down, both of which appear on the new album. The tracks showcase classic ABBA harmonies, emotional lyrics, and a mature yet familiar sound that blends nostalgia with new energy. I Still Have Faith in You, in particular, has been praised for its touching reflection on the group’s enduring friendship and history.
In addition to the new album, ABBA also announced a groundbreaking virtual concert experience. Scheduled to begin in London in 2022, the show will feature digital “ABBAtars” — life-like avatars of the four members as they looked in their prime. The avatars were created using motion-capture technology and visual effects developed with help from George Lucas’s company, Industrial Light & Magic. This virtual performance will be accompanied by a 10-piece live band and promises a unique blend of nostalgia and innovation.
The group explained that they originally reunited in 2018 to record just a couple of new songs. However, the studio experience was so positive that it inspired them to create a full album. Benny Andersson noted that once they began working together again, the chemistry quickly returned. “It was like no time had passed,” he said during the official launch event.
Voyage, released in November 2021, includes ten tracks in total and reflects a mix of melancholy, joy, and maturity — all hallmarks of the band’s musical style. Fans and critics alike have responded positively, celebrating the return of one of the most beloved pop acts in history.
ABBA has made it clear that Voyage will likely be their final album. Still, the group says they are proud of this final chapter and hope the new songs will connect with both longtime fans and new generations. In an emotional statement, they said, “We took a break in the spring of 1982 and now we’ve decided it’s time to end it. They say it’s foolhardy to wait more than 40 years between albums, so we’ve recorded a follow-up to The Visitors.”
With Voyage, ABBA has not only returned to the spotlight but also cemented their legacy as a timeless musical phenomenon.