I’ve Been Waiting For You: ABBA Release New Music After 40 Years

ABBA on a vinyl sleeve. (Photo by Andrew Ebrahim on Unsplash)

ABBA are by far one of the most successful pop groups in the world. Producing over 97 songs throughout the 70s and 80s, ABBA released their last album ‘The Visitors’ in 1981.

But now, to the excitement of diehard ABBA fans (like myself), they have made a return, announcing their new album ‘Voyage’, which will be released in November 2021. Their first two singles from the album , ‘I Still Have Faith In You’ and ‘Don’t Shut Me Down’, are streaming now.

The first song ‘I Still Have Faith In You’, starts off slow with light strings and gentle piano, with touching lyrics about how the band still have faith in each other, even after all these years. As the song continues, synthetic drums and brass instruments take over, something that isn’t noticeable in their classics such as ‘Mamma Mia’. Band members Agnetha and Anni-Frid sing throughout the chorus (sounding incredible, just like they did in their 70s hits!) but the instruments are too loud and drown out their vocals. The song finishes with a synthetic flute, sounding tacky and un-natural in comparison to most of their discography; a disappointing ending to the song.

However, ‘Don’t Shut Me Down’ is a different story. Right from the get-go, the song is very upbeat and fast. The vocals are much louder and clearer at the start of this song. Before long, the jazzy sounding piano - which sounds very similar to their smash hit ‘Dancing Queen’ - and bass kicks in with full effect (in classic ABBA style!). The instruments all sound perfectly natural. Then, the song plays out with a ‘cliff-hanger’ chord, something that ABBA doesn’t typically use, but leaves the listener wanting more.

 ABBA might not be for everyone, but if you’re longing for a bit nostalgia in these hard times, ‘Take a Chance’ on their new music!

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