ABBA fans have been reacting to the news that the Swedish pop giants have returned with two new songs – both of which will feature on a new album – and a “revolutionary” concert experience.
Earlier this evening (September 2), the band announced ‘ABBA: Voyage’ – a full new album and their first new music in over 40 years which will be released on November 5 on Universal Music.
To accompany the news, ABBA – comprising Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus, Agnetha Fältskog and Anni-Frid “Frida” Lyngstad – unveiled two new songs: ‘I Still Have The Faith In You’ and ‘Don’t Shut Me Down’.
They also shared details of a new concert experience that shares the same name as their upcoming ninth studio album – which will see a “digital” version of ABBA (not holograms) perform alongside a 10-piece live band at a purpose-built 3,000-capacity ABBA Arena at London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, at a run of shows from May 27, 2022.
Excited fans all around the world have been reacting to the news, which was delivered by Andersson and Ulvaeus during a live-streamed event filmed in London and hosted by Zoe Ball.
Drag queen singer-songwriter Trixie Mattel tweeted: “With ABBA VOYAGE, my unclockable Swedish accent will become America’s finest export.”
“Babe,….BABE….wake up. Babe wake up. new Abba album.” said musician and comedian Grace Spelman, while music producer and script supervisor Edward Russell shared a video of him and another fan listening to the band’s new song while crying tears of joy.
With ABBA VOYAGE, my unclockable Swedish accent will become America’s finest export. pic.twitter.com/deDdl4tzur
— Trixie Mattel
(@trixiemattel) September 2, 2021
Babe,….BABE….wake up. Babe wake up. new Abba album
— grace spelman (@GraceSpelman) September 2, 2021
Want to watch a lifelong ABBA fan hear their first new sing in 39 years. UGLY TEARS! #ABBAVoyage pic.twitter.com/ySV2YCi1DP
— ΞÐШΛЯÐ (@edwardrussell) September 2, 2021
Elsewhere, some fans noted the similarity between ABBA’s neon avatar images and the costumes used in the movie Tron: Legacy – which was scored by Daft Punk.
“Since Daft Punk is no more, we need an ABBA scored Tron film,” one Twitter user wrote. Another shared a photograph of Jeff Bridges’ character Kevin Flynn, with the caption: “Björn is ready for tonight’s press conference.”
A third fan likened the avatar look to that of the Power Rangers. “The rangers that we’ve all been waiting for to save us,” they captioned a picture of the band in their full motion capture attire.
Since Daft Punk is no more, we need an ABBA scored Tron film pic.twitter.com/d2dsH2FA9h
— Jaclyn hums Savathûn’s song (@Jbandos) September 2, 2021
Björn is ready for tonight's press conference.@ABBAVoyage pic.twitter.com/RHZKDgCh01
— MattPopOfficial♪ (@MattPopOfficial) September 2, 2021
The rangers that we all been waiting for to save us. #ABBA pic.twitter.com/mY8MXTakRy
— Rafael de Almeida (@rafaeldealmeida) September 2, 2021
Other fans flooded Twitter to share their thoughts on the band’s comeback after 40 years. “There’s something special about hearing ABBA’s 2021 voices in a song it’s so surreal,” one person tweeted.
“Thank you ABBA for saving 2021,” another wrote.
One user tweeted: “abba has never lost their touch and my soul is liberated thank lord for their new music hallelujah amen praised be.”
There’s something special about hearing ABBA’s 2021 voices in a song it’s so surreal
— Grace
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YXY stan (@grace_is_sugoi) September 2, 2021
thank you ABBA for saving 2021 #ABBAVoyage pic.twitter.com/Pzst2YdpMV
— jules (@gayephoria) September 2, 2021
abba has never lost their touch and my soul is liberated thank lord for their new music hallelujah amen praised be- pic.twitter.com/11HwGu1UyL
— leia
(@violetsmarjorie) September 2, 2021
See more reactions to ABBA’s return below:
I'm really listening to new ABBA music in the year two thousand and twenty one. Life is goodpic.twitter.com/2nF1GXFLtl
— asta (@anxiousgreg) September 2, 2021
Genuinely psyched for the ABBA reunion pic.twitter.com/ROQ1IhRgtZ
— Paul Duane (@paulduanefilm) September 2, 2021
my mood rn listening to abba's new 2 songs on repeat pic.twitter.com/pNezRDEECb
— Mikee
(@sapphiclouise) September 2, 2021
me meeting the abba holograms pic.twitter.com/0lVAGf2NFb
— stevie (@abbafag) September 2, 2021
me when me after
I woke up listening to the two
this morning new ABBA songs pic.twitter.com/t151WDfWvW— Rachel Paige (@rachmeetsworld) September 2, 2021
Over a decade ago I wrote a book on #ABBA. I was so immersed in their music I couldn't listen to them for years afterwards. But tonight, with the release of their new material, I'm enjoying them all over again. #ABBAVoyage #ABBAisBack pic.twitter.com/omW9UQZZMi
— Simon Sheridan (@SJASheridan) September 2, 2021
if I see anyone that was old enough to go to an abba tour back in the day going to this one… you had your damn chance!!!! pic.twitter.com/V2rKFmnuE7
— lauren (@missystardis) September 2, 2021
How many times have I listened to the new ABBA songs? pic.twitter.com/vI9OKxyBid
— 2021 singular sensation
(@WinonaStryder) September 2, 2021
the entire abba fandom for the next 40 years @ABBAVoyage pic.twitter.com/Ba12ZHNC7i
— Y | ABBA VOYAGE (@summernightc1ty) September 2, 2021
New ABBA means at least ten more Mamma Mia films and I do not think there is anything wrong with that. A 120 year old Christine Baranski singing with Colin Firth dancing in the background with a walking frame #ABBAVoyage pic.twitter.com/idKzQ228GC
— Lauren
(@sadsnoopdog) September 2, 2021
ABBA. Wait. ABBA. New album. Wait. ABBA new album. Wha…New ABBA album ABBA hologram concert. Brain processing information. Completely unexpected news. Childhood brain goes boom. Wait, ABBA?!?!? pic.twitter.com/2u3clQmYfJ
— Johane Matte (@rufftoon) September 2, 2021
The news comes after ABBA recently joined TikTok, and their greatest hits album ‘ABBA: GOLD’ became the first album to spend 1,000 weeks in the UK charts.
The post Fans react to ABBA’s return after 40 years: “Thank you ABBA for saving 2021” appeared first on NME.
