New look, new music: ABBA is back after 40 years

Words: Ed Potton Producer: Bianca Farmakis

A lot has changed since ABBA dominated the music charts, dance floors and shower anthems alike. But the charm of their synth-pop ballads has endured the test of times.

When the Swedish pop quartet last released an album, Margaret Thatcher was in her first term, Raiders of the Lost Ark ruled the box office and Britney Spears had not been born.

After four decades of silence from the band responsible for transforming the face of Eurovision, ABBA has released a new record.

The album, Voyage , is a familiar blend of outrageous musicality and utter indifference to fashion — pulling in listeners with Benny Andersson's melodic oomph and Bjorn Ulvaeus's lyrical insights.

Agnetha Faltskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad share the lead vocals, and their voices, though a touch lower, remain pristine and moving.

Ahead of the release of Voyage, t he band teased fans about a potential comeback by launching a new website, "ABBA Voyage", in September. The page was for music lovers to register their interest.

As speculation about ABBA's return grew, the group released 'I Still Have Faith In You' — their lead single about ageing, lost love and the prospect of reuniting.

As you venture further into Voyage , the music has the choral, string-soaked wallop of 'I Dreamed a Dream'. Faltskog, Ulvaeus, Andersson and Lyngstad are demonstrating the best thing about ageing — not giving a hoot what other people think.