The first new ABBA album in forty years is presented to the world like a gracious gift, something fans could only dream about receiving. Voyage gracefully transitions the listener back to the disco days of the past while also transporting you to the bright future.
You might be living under a rock or you may be aged under thirty if you haven't heard of ABBA. The Swedish phenomenon exploded throughout the 70's and 80's, soaking into nearly every element of pop culture today. The disco pop and balladry have shaped into the numerous forms of pop and dance music we hear today through pretty much all of their material. After The Visitors in 1981, the group members disbanded and both marriages involved have resulted in divorce. In recent years the group have reunited and announced a huge virtual concert series in London and it seems to be one-of-a-kind with its technology and advancements. They even made a huge arena just for these ABBA concert shows. Nearly forty years later from what seems to be a miracle, we have new music from ABBA. Voyage is the new album that features some older tracks that were unreleased but mostly newly written material; all the performances and recordings are new. It's been generations since the band's last album, so of course Voyage comes with massive speculation firsthand. Of course any band coming out of four decades of studio album silence will be viewed with a lens by some people. There is massive pressure and hype for a band this huge to come back with new material that would be as captivating or influential as their previous work.
There are countless reasons why this could've been a huge failure but I'm happy to let you know that this is not the case. Voyage gracefully transitions the listener back to the disco days of the past while also transporting you to the bright future. Smartly so, the record is richly and impressively produced and mixed where it perfectly balances the old with the new, making Voyage not just a rehash of their older material but an actual new refreshing experience. Pivotal member Benny Andersson's mixing and producing skills do not go unnoticed here. I could see these songs pleasing the audience watching the virtual graphics and technology backing the new virtual live show. Singers Anni-Frid Lyngstad and Agnetha Fältskog still sound great despite their age, while songwriters Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus still can write a solidifying and captivating pop tune.
There are disco bangers reminiscent of their past singles, notably "Don't Shut Me Down" and "Just a Notion." "Don't Shut Me Down" is the closest ABBA get to a "Dancing Queen" or a "Waterloo" on the album. There are many beautifully grand ballads like "Bumblebee" and "Ode to Freedom" that feature lush string sections. "I Still Have Faith In You" is a glorious comeback single that has the most memorable vocal harmonies on the album. This one will for sure be a fan favorite. "When You Danced With Me" has a galloping synth lead that sounds very modern, reminding me of a score to a new Disney animated adventure movie. It sounds like an excellent and refreshing example that ABBA are trying new things instead of staying the same while being successful at it. "Little Things" has a lot to appreciate with its gentle vocals and piano keys. The overtly Christmasy lyrics and themes (and that lullaby melody) are cute and all but it really sticks out like a sore thumb on this album. It kind of belongs on a Christmas compilation or soundtrack, not on a new album.
But I really shouldn't complain though. Voyage is presented to the world like a gracious gift, something fans could only dream about receiving. When reviewing a new ABBA album, the first in forty years, any negatives about it should be taken with a grain of salt. Although I'm not the biggest ABBA fan, over the past couple of years I've really gotten to enjoy and appreciate the band's music. Voyage is a joyful treat that should please fans, scratching that itch of wanting some new ABBA music. Any fan (old or new) fortunate enough to see the new live virtual concert should love this album accompanying the show along with the band's long list of renowned hits. The songs are pure and simple; they don't try to do too much and do a lot with very little. The overall sound is very impressive and is executed really well. The recordings, performances and production are probably as successful as they possible could be. Despite myself not going over the moon on every song here, the overall experience of Voyage is a joy to hear. I don't see myself going back to listen to this over and over but I'm glad I heard it. It's deservedly appreciated and I, like many other listeners, am grateful to see the seemingly impossible made possible.
My Rating: 7 / 10
Favorite Songs: "Don't Shut Me Down," "I Still Have Faith In You," "When You Danced With Me," "Just a Notion"
Comments