The most sensational news in this year’s world pop music has got a tangible outline in CD and record formats – one of the world’s most successful pop groups of all time “ABBA” has released their latest album, which is their first new studio work in almost 40 years. The first information about Voyage was announced only in September this year, and the album became the fastest pre-ordered – 80,000 copies of the album were ordered in three days in the UK alone.
It should be reminded that at the same time as the release of a new album, the concert “ABBA Voyage” was announced, which will provide a revolutionary – digital – viewing experience: Agneta Feltskūga, Bjern Ulveuss, Benijs Andersons and Anni-Frīda Lingstad will perform together with ten musicians. ABBA Arena in Queen Elizabeth Park in London – the premiere will take place on May 27, 2022. Already in the first three days after the announcement of the concert, 250,000 tickets were sold, and now the sale of additional tickets has been announced. The digital concert will consist of the band’s biggest hits and also new compositions, including “I Still Have Faith In You” and “Don’t Shut Me Down”.
“Voyage” is the first album since ABBA released “The Visitors” on November 30, 1981.
It should also be noted that “Voyage” is released almost five decades after the band’s debut album “Ring, Ring”, which was released in 1973. As with previous albums, Voyage’s authors and producers are Benny Anderson and Bjern Ulveus, whose arrangements and lyrics are complemented by the timeless voices of Agneta Feltskūga and Anni-Fried Lingstad. The new compilation of ten songs was born in the heads of the band members over a period of four years at the Riksmixningsverket recording studio in Stockholm. The Stockholm Concert Orchestra has also participated in the album.
“We knew that if there was a concert, we would need a couple of new songs. When we entered the studio after a break of 39 years, it seemed that time would not have passed at all – we understood perfectly! I consulted with Fried and Agnet and I know that they are also very happy that we have done it – we have recorded this album, ”says Benny Anderson. Agneta Feltskūga: “When we got together again in the studio, I had no idea what to expect from it. But Benny’s recording studio is such a friendly and safe environment, and without realizing it, I really enjoyed what was going on around me. I can’t believe it’s finally time to share it with the world! ” Anni-Fried Lingstad continues: “Its first sessions in 2018 were so much fun! When Benny called and asked if I was considering singing any more songs, I gladly agreed. And what were those songs! All my respect and love to these extremely talented, truly ingenious songwriters! It was a great pleasure to work with the band again, I am very pleased with what we have done and I hope our fans feel the same way. ” Bjern Ulveuss concludes: “Now we have ten songs – a whole album called” Voyage “, because it has been a journey to an unconscious territory. It had to be a vocal combination of Frieda and Agneta to make this unique sound – when they started singing, it was “ABBA”. “
“It’s been a long time since we’ve made music together. In fact, they are almost 40 years old. We took a break in the spring of 1982, but now we have decided that it is time to return. It is said that it is unwise to release an album with a gap of 40 years, so we recorded the sequel to “The Visitors”. To be honest, the main source of inspiration for new recordings is our involvement in creating this impressive concert. For such a concert you can only dream of! We ourselves will be able to sit in the audience and watch our digital We perform our songs on stage, which will be built in London in the spring specifically for this purpose. It’s weird and wonderful! ” summarizes the quartet.
THROUGH. First of all, the release of this album is an Event from the point of view of the event itself – it is a winning parade of 21st century musical technologies and especially marketing achievements. However, the younger generation can’t even imagine what they had to experience 40-50 years ago to get a copy of “ABBA” album on a creaking cassette, not to mention the record, but now, in 2021, on the day of the release, everyone wanted to have already heard it! Also about the fact of releasing the album – how it was packaged, how it was advertised, how it was put on the table, etc.! If about the album itself, then – “ABBA” as “ABBA”, fortunately, no mention of the naphthalene suffocation. Not being a member of the ABBA generation or a fan of this group, the viewer still found two songs for himself – the beautiful “I Can Be That Woman” (it seems to be borrowed from previous years’ performances) and the relatively energetic “Keep An Eye On Dan”. All in all, there is nowhere to go, this is the end of a great ABBA tale. “ABBA” can sing and not sing anything! It will be an eternal value. Latvian show business can only study and learn. Thus, the assessment of Latvian music experts about “ABBA” songs is like small raindrops that do not reach rivers or lakes and anywhere else big oceans! I am very happy about new ABBA songs! ” such syrup was eaten by journalist Ģirts Salmgriezis, who works in the European Parliament. You can’t disagree with him.
PRICE. Trying to oppose ABBA’s new material would be like throwing yourself into the epicenter of the constant battles between cowhysters and antivaks, and would eventually “break away” from both fronts. Therefore, we will only carefully quote the opinions that correspond to the “against” section and also the views of the viewer or at least are close to them. Well-known producer Juris Millers: I listened to the new album “ABBA”. As background music did not bother, but – if you have to name at least one piece that remained in the memory … I completely agree with the eternal values, but the new album is mediocre. Unfortunately, a faint reflection from the heyday. ” Experienced music journalist Jānis Stundiņš: “Everything is in order, your ability, experience and style [albums] confirms that you can calmly put all the stars out of everyone, but – yes, neither ingenious nor surprising, apart from the melodic nature of the characteristic songs “and” if this album had followed “The Visitors” about 40 years ago, the new would have been disappointing; if it had followed the album “Voulez-Vous”, everything would be fine, but after that time, everything is fine now. “
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