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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Entertainment
Kieran Isgin

Abba announce first new album in 39 years

Abba will be releasing their first album in 39 years - and have debuted two new songs.

The Swedish band – made up of Bjorn Ulvaeus, Agnetha Faltskog, Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid Lyngstad – have also unveiled plans for a high-tech concert show which will host digital versions of themselves.

The quartet, best known for hits such as Dancing Queen, Super Trouper and Waterloo, have called the projects 'Abba Voyage'.

The album will consist of entirely new material recorded in Andersson's studio in Stockholm.

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New tunes - I Still Have Faith In You and Don’t Shut Me Down - were played publicly for the first time during a press conference, hosted by Zoe Ball, at the top of the Orbit sculpture at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in east London.

Ulvaeus and Andersson said the album emerged after the quartet reunited to film the digital concert.

Ball said: “We are here for one reason and one reason only.

"Abba are back together officially.”

(RB/Redferns)

Ulvaeus explained the meaning behind new song I Still Have Faith In You, saying: “It is about realising it is inconceivable to be where we are. No imagination can dream up that.

“To release an album after 40 years and still be the best of friends and enjoying each other’s company and still have total loyalty. Who has experienced that? Nobody.”

Andersson said the band had chosen to host their digital concert in a purpose built site in east London because it is 'the best city to be in'.

He added: “When it comes to entertainment – theatre, musicals, concerts – it is all here. It has been here for years and years and years. There is a big audience travelling here for that reason. It was a no-brainer.”

Abba after winning the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest (Getty Images)

Ulvaeus added: “We have always felt the Brits see us as their own.”

The last time the quartet released an album with new material was in November 1981 - The Visitors.

The band parted ways soon after, despite never officially splitting up.

Last month they sparked excitement as they launched a website called Abba Voyage, which asked fans to register on the landing page and teased: “The wait is nearly over…”

On Monday, they joined social media site TikTok.

The pop group were thrus into the limelight after winning the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest with 'Waterloo'.

They have since sold more than 400 million albums and singles.

The group has sold more than 400 million albums and singles (Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

The popular quartet parted ways after last performing together in 1982 following a successful 10-year stint.

In 2018 they announced they had recorded new material, but the release of the songs has been delayed.

The hit musical Mamma Mia! was based on their songs and premiered in 1999 in London and quickly became a worldwide sensation.

Since hen two movie versions were produced - Mamma Mia! and Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again was made up of an a-list cast including Meryl Streep, Dame Julie Walters, Colin Firth, and Pierce Brosnan.

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