Pop legends Abba have surprised and delighted fans by announcing their first studio album for 40 years.
Abba Voyage will be released in November, before a “revolutionary” set of concerts where virtual avatars will play hits like Mamma Mia and Waterloo.
The quartet, who split up in 1982, said they ended up back in the recording studio while working on the stage show.
“At first it was just two songs, and then we said, ‘Well, maybe we should do a few others’,” said Benny Andersson.
In the end, they recorded 10 tracks – two of which were premiered during a globally-streamed press conference on Thursday.
The first, I Still Have Faith In You, is an affectionate piano ballad portraying the bond the four band members share.
“When Benny played the melody, I just knew it had to be about us,” said Bjorn Ulvaeus, explaining the song’s origins.
“It’s about realising that it’s inconceivable to be where we are. No imagination could dream up that, to release an album after 40 years and still be the best of friends, and still be enjoying each other’s company, and have a total loyalty.
“Who has experienced that? Nobody.”
The second track, Don’t Shut Me Down, is a mini-melodrama in the vein of the Abba classic The Day Before You Came, where a woman returns to her partner years after walking out.
“You asked me not to leave, well here I am again – and I love you still,” sing Agnetha Faltskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad in their trademark stacked harmonies.
Both songs will feature on Abba Voyage when it is released on 5 November, with an eye on the lucrative Christmas market. The record will even include “a little Christmas tune”, said Benny, as well as “a number of pop songs”.
He added: “I think it’s pretty good. We’ve done as good as we could, at our age.”
The reunion had, for many years, seemed unlikely. The band reportedly turned down $1bn to tour in 2000. (BBC)
