Introduction
ABBA Surprises Fans with First New Songs in 40 Years and Announces New Album ‘Voyage’
In a move that stunned music fans around the world, legendary Swedish pop group ABBA has returned with brand new music — their first in nearly four decades. On September 2nd, 2021, the group announced a new album titled “Voyage,” along with the release of two new singles, marking one of the most anticipated comebacks in music history.
The announcement came during a globally streamed event, where Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, Agnetha Fältskog, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad confirmed they had reunited in the studio to create new material — something many fans had long hoped for but never expected. Their last album, The Visitors, was released in 1981, and since then, the group had consistently said there were no plans to record again.
But now, four decades later, ABBA is proving that their music — and their bond — is timeless.
The two new songs released, “I Still Have Faith in You” and “Don’t Shut Me Down,” show the group in top form. “I Still Have Faith in You” is an emotional ballad that reflects on their journey as friends and collaborators, filled with soaring melodies and the rich harmonies that made them global icons. “Don’t Shut Me Down,” on the other hand, is a vibrant, upbeat track that evokes the classic ABBA sound — upbeat, bittersweet, and irresistibly catchy.
The full album, Voyage, will be released on November 5, 2021, and features 10 new tracks. Benny Andersson said the group had initially returned to the studio “just for fun” but soon found themselves immersed in the creative process once more. “It was like no time had passed,” he explained. “We just picked up where we left off.”
But the surprises didn’t end with the music. ABBA also unveiled plans for a high-tech virtual concert experience to take place in London. Beginning in 2022, fans will be able to attend the ABBA Voyage concert series at a specially built arena, where the band will appear as digital “ABBAtars” — younger versions of themselves, created using cutting-edge motion capture technology.
The show, developed in partnership with George Lucas’s visual effects company Industrial Light & Magic, promises a revolutionary combination of live music, digital visuals, and immersive storytelling. The band members have already filmed their movements for the avatars, bringing to life a performance experience unlike anything seen before.
Fans across generations have responded with overwhelming excitement. Within hours of the announcement, streaming platforms were flooded with listeners, and social media lit up with emotional reactions. For many, ABBA’s return represents more than nostalgia — it’s a reminder of the enduring power of melody, emotion, and human connection.
“We took a break in the ’80s,” Björn joked during the event, “and now we’ve decided it’s finally time to end it.”
With Voyage, ABBA is not just returning — they’re rewriting the rulebook on how legends come back.