Abba has reunited after 40 years and have brought with them new music. They always said they never would, but here they are, and the world has collectively lost its mind. The reasons why they are doing it now, or why do it at all are almost immaterial. A lot of people are Abba fans and the reaction has been positive. There’s a good reason for that.
When bands reunite, or release music after a long period, there are often multiple pressures around it. There’s the pressure to be “as good as they once were”. There’s the pressure from the record label to come up with something they can sell. The pressure from fans. And, potentially, the pressure among themselves. Abba is a band that has internal relationships almost as fraught as those inside Fleetwood Mac.
When I first heard Abba was returning, it was a headline in the Murdoch press, so naturally I dismissed it as untrue or just rumour. Then came the news from the band themselves. Two new songs dropping overnight on September 3 (Australian time) and a new album and virtual tour as well. Long time fans were beside themselves. A covid-weary public had something joyous from their youth to enjoy and feel better about.
But how was it going to sound? I am still recovering from the trauma of Duran Duran’s Timblerlake/Timbaland-influenced album Red Carpet Massacre, so I was wary of the idea of a 70s artist trying to be relevant in 2021. A record label would surely make sure they had a producer that would make them “sellable” and sound like the aural quagmire of commercial radio. I approached the new songs with some trepidation. I stared at the social media post for what seemed like hours, fingers hovering over the link.
Finally, I clicked on the YouTube link. I stared at the YouTube page for another eternity, and at last I clicked play.
The music started, the vocal started. This truly was Abba. This was CLASSIC Abba. My fears dissolved. It sounded like they never left the studio and this was simply a follow up to The Visitors (their last album from 1981). The arrangements are true Abba, as are the vocals. The songwriting is there, with melodies that evoke Super Trouper and I Have A Dream.
So this makes me happy, and I’m not even a fan. But fans will love it, and I’m almost keen to hear the rest of the album. I am looking forward to some more upbeat songs with more harmonies than there are in these two songs.
Should Trash Disco feature the album in the new(ish) half hour? You tell me…
Trash Disco 
Abba’s (second) Arrival is going to be excellent! 😊
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