Voyage - my thoughts and review

The moment has arrived.  I have listened to ABBA's new album, and let me just say I love it.  I actually caved in and listened to the album before midnight using a VPN, I'm sorry I couldn't wait anymore, and the first time I listened to the album in full, I didn't quite know how to react, if I liked it or not.  I'm the type of person who is resistant to anything new.  Like I remember when Sabrina Carpenter's 2nd album came out in 2016, and it was a different style to what I was used to, so I didn't like it at all.  And then her next album from 2018 came out and was a completely different style.  However after listening to her music enough times, I got used to it. 

I've always loved every single one of ABBA's songs, like I'm that rare breed that loves all of them, even songs like I Saw It In The Mirror and King Kong Song.  And I was afraid that I wouldn't like any of the new songs.  It had taken me a few listens to really fall in love with I Still Have Faith In You and Don't Shut Me Down, and thank goodness after three listens to the full Voyage album (I'm currently on my 4th listen now :') ), I can say that I love the album.  Of course I have favorite songs off the album, tracks I like even more than others, but I don't dislike any of the tracks.  I can officially say that I love every single ABBA song.

Here are my thoughts on all the songs:

1. I Still Have Faith In You

This song is the perfect into to the album.  I love this song, I love the chorus. I love B&B's backup vocals at the end.  I remember being so emotional hearing this song when it first played during the YouTube livestream.   I still get so emotional hearing it.  This song is the song that brought ABBA back, and I just love it so much.

2. When You Danced With Me

This song is such a fun little upbeat tune.  I heard it's inspired by Irish music, and it definitely gives that vibe.  It also for some reason reminds me a lot of two Ted Gardestad's songs, Regnbågen and Klöversnoa, and also for some reason also of The Piper.  I'm a sucker for happy sounding songs, so I like this one a ton.

3. Little Things

Okay, so I will admit, I was a little surprised when I heard there was gonna be an Xmas song on the album, since ABBA had never done Xmas songs (I mean original xmas songs, like this song).  Now I'm Jewish, so I like never listen to any holiday music.  I can't relate to the song at all, but I will admit that it gives off this very cozy and intimate vibe, and I do like it.  Ive never liked children singing for some reason, (Not talking about I Have A Dream - the kids sound great there) but aside from that, I do like the song.  Its very pretty. :)   (also every time I see the title of this song I think of Little Things by One Direction ahaha)

4. Don't Shut Me Down

I have listened to this song so many times, I can't even write a review for this song haha.  It's definitely one of my favorite ABBA songs ever dare I say.  So upbeat, so fun.  I love.

5. Just A Notion

So after hearing the entire album in full, I will say this song sounds almost a little out of place, however, I will never be angry that they included this song on the album because I freaking love this song, always have, always will.  And like I've said before, hearing ABBA in their prime again is just so comforting, and this song is just amazing. I love it.

6. I Can Be That Woman

This song reminds me very much of Agnetha's My Colouring Book album, and also a bit like Roxette, like from their Charm School era. (I'm thinking of No One Makes It On Her Own.)  It's such a sad song, but hopeful as well, and also Agnethas vocals are beautiful.  The chorus especially.  Frida's backup vocals.  Absolutely beautiful.  It might just be me, but I think there's some pitch correction on this track.  Not a bad thing, btw.  Like I may not like autotune, but I understand why artists use it and it's alright.  I love Tammy the dog, btw. 

7. Keep An Eye On Dan

THIS SONG IS ALSO SUPER DEPRESSING BUT SO GOOD AT THE SAME TIME.  ABBA's specialty - uptempo tunes with depressing lyrical content. (Like Knowing Me, Knowing You.)  Also that chorus is so catchy.  Like of all the songs, this chorus has been stuck repeating in my head.  And the synths after the chorus.  This song is just amazing.  Some instruments in the song remind me very much of As Good As New despite this song being completely different.  I also really like the boys' backup vocals.  I kind of wish they were in the other songs.  Like to me, the ABBA magic needs the boys' adding harmonies, and the lack of the boys' in the Spanish album is quite noticeable.  The little nod to SOS at the end is so cute too.  Very sweet.  Overall such a good song.

8. Bumblebee

This song is pretty slow, but I really like it, and the meaning as well.  There are parts of Frida's vocals in the chorus that remind me so much of Andante, Andante, not quite sure why, but that's what comes to mind.  And also the instruments remind me a lot of Bjorn and Benny's Träskofolket from 1971, and also the drums remind me of Fernando.  

9. No Doubt About It

I think this might be my favorite song on the whole album.  When I hear this song, I hear Shine era Frida and I love it.  Frida just sounds incredible on this album.  So powerful.  I LOVE.  Such a fun song, super upbeat.  I can't even put into words how ABBA this song is for me.  Not saying the other songs aren't ABBA, just this song makes me thing of ABBA in the Super Trouper era with Elaine.  (Also I used to bite my nails a lot so hahaha I relate)

10. Ode To Freedom 

This song is such a beautiful ending to the album.  It almost doesn't match up with the other songs, but also ABBA's albums have never been overly cohesive, so no complaints from me.  It reminds me a lot of Benny's work after ABBA, like Klinga Mina Klocker, like something he and Bjorn would write for BAO.  Very very pretty though.  Also kinda gives me  Arrival song vibes, also The Piper.  Very haunting. 

(Guess what, I've looped the album again hahahah)

Overall, I love this album.  To me, this album is proof that ABBA can sing in legitimately any style and they will always pull it off.  I like variety of styles in each song, and I like that there's a nice even handed amount of songs for the ladies.  Like Agnetha and Frida each kind of have a slow and a fast song.  (Slow: Bumblebee/I Can Be That Woman - Fast: No Doubt About It/Don't Shut Me Down)  And then the rest of the songs are mostly sang by the both of them together.  I love Bjorn and Benny's backup vocals as heard on I Still Have Faith In You and Keep An Eye On Dan.  I really wish they were heard more in all the other songs, but it's okay.  I'm just happy we have new ABBA songs in 2021.  A new album!  It doesn't sound real! :O  

Now I know when people think of ABBA, the first thing that comes to mind is Dancing Queen, Mamma Mia, "bubblegum" pop as you will, and this album definitely isn't that.  There's a more mature sound to this album, a followup to The Visitors almost.  ABBA have never really stuck to the same style, like every single album is different, sounds different.  Say for example, when you compare Ring Ring to Voulez-Vous, they're very, very different.  Yet there's always that familliar ABBA sound, and ABBA have still managed to keep that same sound despite how many years it's been and how much their style has changed for this album. 

Okay, so I kind of wish there were more songs where the ladies sang together, or if there was a song where one sings one verse, and the other sings the other, kind of like The Way Old Friends Do, or more songs with harmonies like there are in the verses of Chiquita and Fernando.  But I really have no complaints about this album.  I just love it so much.  And I am just so excited to get my physical copies of the album, on record and CD.  I'm especially excited to hear it on the record player.  

Anyways, my hands are dying from all this typing. (I'm in the midst of doing Nanowrimo, and all that typing plus this review is giving my fingers quite the workout >.< ), but I think I will enjoy listening to this album on repeat for the next while, and I figure I need to now make updates to some of my older compilations, like songs that include seasons (Summer in Bumblebee), songs that include names (Tammy the dog and Dan) and also places (Kilkenny in When You Danced With Me.)

I'm just so happy.  I've devoted half my life to this band, and I'm so grateful for everything ABBA has given me.  Thank you so much ABBA, for the music and for the generous love and all the fun.  This has absolutely been the best treat, and it has been so special.  Thank you for letting me experience what it feels like waiting for an ABBA album to come out.  Even though no one likes waiting for things, I enjoyed anticipating this album.  Thank you ABBA for this last, beautiful album.  I couldn't have asked for anything better.  

I hereby give this album a 10/10, 5 stars out of 5, 100%, A+.