Review: ABBA, Voyage
****
After a 40 year absence, pop’s most majestic quartet are back with a bang. The Super Troupers manage to effortlessly rekindle the sound of old, whilst making it sound so sumptuously modern. It truly is an eloquent celebration of everything ABBA have been timelessly famed for.
Heartfelt Harmonies
ABBA’s iconic 70s sound has long been characterised by the angelic sound of Frida and Agnetha’s delicious vocals intertwining against the backdrop of Benny and Bjorn’s incredible instrumental compositions. This trademark is well and truly embedded into the DNA of this album, with songs like ‘Ode To Freedom’ perfectly showcasing that the two As in the band can still give an A* performance. Though their joint efforts are successful, their individual vocals sprawl delectably across the exquisite lyrics penned by the Swedish songwritng duo, proving that their solo talents are not to be forgotten.
Here We Go Again!
No, not that film. Though images of Cher do come to mind, this isn’t what I’m referring to here. The album is so effortlessly nostalgic. Everything in the album, from its themes to its lyrics and sound is soaked in sweet nostalgia. Themes of love are explored, with ‘Don’t Shut Me Down’ giving more than a slight aroma of 1976’s ‘Knowing Me, Knowing You’ with its talk of a lovesick home. Men leaving for the city in ‘When You Danced With Me’ throw us all the way back to ‘SOS’ with its vocal adaptions of lovesick yearning for an absent lover. It amazes me how after 4 decades away from the microphones, the Swedish superstars can still elegantly create the trademark opulent sounding music that made them famous. There is also a nice equilibrium between fast, upbeat efforts such as lost 70s track ‘Just A Notion’ and slow crooning ballads such ‘I Can Be That Woman’. The album initially teases our dance track ready ears, with its Frida led ‘I Still Have Faith In You’ starting off slow, but building to a surprising crescendo that pays homage to the still strong level of trust within the band.
Chart Topping Triumph!
The album’s statistics speak for themselves, with ABBA topping 17 countries’ charts with their ninth studio album. They also earned their tenth UK number one album, the UK’s fastest selling album of 2021 so far and the biggest first week sales for 4 years. It achieved sales of over 1 million around the world in its first week. Voyage has also amassed 150 million worldwide streams since its release at the start of November. To achieve all of these impressive statistics with an album that marks a return after 40 years out of the spotlight is no mean feat, and proves that this return is not simply another financially induced renaissance, but a well crafted and heart-warming return ascension to the top of music.
The Perfect Goodbye?
To me, this album doesn’t seem like a goodbye. Which, I dare say, was what the 1974 Eurovision winners wanted. Through its nostalgia filled twists and turns through planet pop, the album does exactly what it says on the cover. It is a voyage, a celebration of the past which keeps its golden feet firmly in the present with its modern tinged sound. Despite the album’s effort to not appear like a swansong, Benny recently spoke in an interview with the BBC’s entertainment correspondent Colin Paterson, saying “I don’t want to do another ABBA album.” However, with the group’s 50th anniversary next year, and the golden anniversary of their stunning Eurovision triumph in 1974 slowly approaching, I’m not totally convinced that this will be the Dancing Queens’ last trip to the dancefloor. Although, if they were to declare that they have had their Last Summer together, this album is a perfectly acceptable farewell to their legions of fans around the world, with the last song ‘Ode To Freedom’ certainly giving a hint that tis could be the end.
When All Is Said And Done, this album really is perfect. The sound is iconic yet relevant, the vocals and lyrics are trademark ABBA with a modern twist. If the group were to say Hasta Manana, it would serve as an elegant and well devised goodbye to five decades at the top. Finally, to Agnetha, Frida, Benny and Bjorn; Thank You For The Music.
