Here they go again! After nearly four decades since their last album release in 1981, ABBA is back to deliver soulful melodies to their fans. On Thursday, September 2nd, the iconic Swedish group consisting of Agnetha, Benny, Björn, and Anni-Frid announced their new album Voyage. Their album full of new songs will be released on November 5, 2021. The two new singles from the album are, “I Still Have Faith In You” and “Don’t Shut Me Down.”
I still have faith in you
The single, “I Still Have Faith In You” is said to be about the band and their journey together over the course of their career. The song repeats the haunting question “do I have it in me” throughout the lyrics. For the record, ABBA does have it in them to work together once again, creating wonderful music. The music video for the song recalls memories of ABBA’s career and the lyrics mirror this imagery through lines like “there was a union, of heart and mind, the likes of which are rare and oh so hard to find.”
The joy and the sorrow/we have a story, and it survived
ABBA, “I Still Have Faith In You”
ABBA stays true to their classic sound and the song brings listeners back to some of their big hits from the 1970s. The song is a beautiful ballad that starts slow and builds up to a beautiful and full chorus. The lyrics in the chorus, including lines like “the joy and the sorrow, we have a story, and it survived” are simple yet impactful and combined with the music, make for an emotional listening experience.
Don’t shut me down
“Don’t Shut Me Down” is more reminiscent of ABBA’s sound in some of their later work. The song begins with very classic ABBA storytelling lyrics and then builds up to a quick change to a more upbeat rhythm. Compared to it’s counterpart, this single has more of an upbeat groove. Though both songs are different in their own way they both are unmistakably ABBA, combining simple, beautiful melodies with honest lyrics.
I’m not the same this time around, I’m fired up, don’t shut me down
ABBA, “Don’t Shut Me Down”
While the song is more upbeat, the lyrics are a little sad and reflect on how their past experiences with fame impacted their personal relationships with one another. In the lyrics “I’ve learned to cope and love and hope is why I am here now” really express this sentiment. The group has grown past these former memories of their career and relationship experiences and while it has been bittersweet at times, they are still united together through their love and respect for one another and their passion for music.
ABBA Voyage
Along with the album release, ABBA is bringing their new music to life with their live concert, ABBA Voyage. The group performed every song live as they are today and with the use technology and avatars, are making themselves appear on stage in the same way they looked 40 years ago. The concert will take place in an arena in London specially built for this show and will feature the ABBA virtual avatars along with a live band and lots of captivating lighting! ABBA Voyage will feature classic ABBA hits as well as their new music, giving old and new fans alike the chance to see their favorite band perform once again.
Like the girls sing in “Don’t Shut Me Down,” ABBA is not the same this time around. They have experienced so much during their career and since their last album release 40 years ago, but one thing remains the same. They are still ABBA. And we still have faith in them.