Voyage
by ABBA
  • Record Label: Capitol
  • Release Date: Nov 5, 2021
User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 78 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 67 out of 78
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 78
  3. Negative: 4 out of 78
Buy Now
Buy on

Review this album

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. Iacomus
    Nov 6, 2021
    7
    It’s ok. If I had to rank their albums it’d be one of their lowest but it’s always good to hear a new ABBA album. I just wish the production was a little better. I already anticipated that Fridas and agnethas voices had drastically declined. Not terrible, not great. Just ok.
  2. 1972stu
    Nov 6, 2021
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I felt like a child at Christmas anxious to open my gifts. While a few of the songs delivered exactly what I wanted, sadly the rest left me strongly underwhelmed. In saying that, listening again much like picking up a discarded Christmas present on boxing day, I discovered a few more enjoyable tracks.
    This album is quintessentially ABBA but without the memories of the 70s and 80s that listening to their previous material summons, then sadly this album doesn't deliver. Perhaps in 20 years I'll be enjoying voyage as much as the earlier albums.    … Expand
  3. PotterheadGleek
    Nov 5, 2021
    10
    This 22-year-old writer wasn't born when ABBA said goodbye to the public, but became a fan with the Mamma Mia! Film adaptation of the musical, and to be living in a current era of them is such a delight. It appears with "Voyage" they really make their last stand before they take the trip of their lives revisiting adult-topics such as a child living under a divorce parents or rememberingThis 22-year-old writer wasn't born when ABBA said goodbye to the public, but became a fan with the Mamma Mia! Film adaptation of the musical, and to be living in a current era of them is such a delight. It appears with "Voyage" they really make their last stand before they take the trip of their lives revisiting adult-topics such as a child living under a divorce parents or remembering the good old days both couples had through the 70s and 80s when they both divorced.
    The album doesn't disappoint in remaining with their classic ABBA-touch and make a blind-eye with the current trending sounds of the decade, which is a good thing, because ABBA was and still is an original and unique project, songs like "Don't Shut Me Down" or "Keep an Eye on Dan" are instant upbeat classics and "I Still Have Faith in You" an "Ode To Freedom" are one of the ballad highlights of the album.    … Expand
  4. hatters1995
    Nov 5, 2021
    9
    Its hard to believe after all these years away Abba can still deliver! Some hit harder than others but we never thought we would get new Abba or that it could be this good!
  5. victorfialho
    Nov 5, 2021
    10
    Nostalgic and beautiful. They're 70 now, people expecting super dancing songs. Come on, guys. It is a beautiful body of work.
  6. Marcks
    Nov 5, 2021
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. O melhor álbum de 2021…
    Essa álbum funciona como uma cápsula do tempo, que te leva de volta para os anos 70!    … Expand
  7. Gorbachef
    Nov 5, 2021
    8
    Very good effort. Not fantastic, but very listenable. The girls are still awesome to listen to. Don't Shut me Down is my favorite. Great "ABBA" style song. Thank god they stayed with their roots. We have one guy that is complaining that there is nothing new here. What did he expect, a rapper to make an appearance? Some of that stupid electronic drum beat that just about every single newVery good effort. Not fantastic, but very listenable. The girls are still awesome to listen to. Don't Shut me Down is my favorite. Great "ABBA" style song. Thank god they stayed with their roots. We have one guy that is complaining that there is nothing new here. What did he expect, a rapper to make an appearance? Some of that stupid electronic drum beat that just about every single new song has? ABBA stayed classy, and I'd love to hear more. Thanks for the music!!… Expand
  8. Guh
    Nov 5, 2021
    10
    ABBA's best album. Wonderful songs, exquisite production, incredible vocals and compositions always at the highest level. ABBA simply made the biggest comeback of all time, that's not opinion, it's a fact.
  9. seanpmi2004
    Nov 5, 2021
    0
    Have been an Abba fan for years. I anticipated a current trends album but this is only 70's and 80s reminiscent and is not adaptive to the current sound of popular music. Sure we missed Abba for many years, buy why not record some popular (i.e. alternative upbeat) music? This album is only for those who want to reminisce about the 70s and 80s and definitely not for today's generation ofHave been an Abba fan for years. I anticipated a current trends album but this is only 70's and 80s reminiscent and is not adaptive to the current sound of popular music. Sure we missed Abba for many years, buy why not record some popular (i.e. alternative upbeat) music? This album is only for those who want to reminisce about the 70s and 80s and definitely not for today's generation of music lovers.… Expand
  10. Bubbsta1
    Nov 6, 2021
    3
    Adapting music to be more listenable for new, younger fans, while staying true to your roots is what makes comeback albums notoriously difficult. Not finding that balance is why many legendary artists end up scrapping their comeback album. And for those who don't, the album is often reviewed poorly.

    Diana Ross' new album - which was also released this week - is an example. It ends up    Adapting music to be more listenable for new, younger fans, while staying true to your roots is what makes comeback albums notoriously difficult. Not finding that balance is why many legendary artists end up scrapping their comeback album. And for those who don't, the album is often reviewed poorly.

    Diana Ross' new album - which was also released this week - is an example. It ends up occupying a space where it doesn't hold a candle to their old music and doesn't fit in with new music, disappointing both old and new fans alike.

    For the most part that is not the case here.

    The members of ABBA are all in their 70s (I think?) and clearly have no desire in "modernizing" their music. They played it safe, stuck to what they know, and as you can see from the other reviews here, that's probably the best way forward with a comeback album. It's not to go forward at all, but to go back. At least don't disappoint your older fans - those who have been fans of your music for decades. I respect that.

    However I can't pretend that I liked it. Hence my 3/10 score. As a 26 year old I think a good comeback album can find that balance and draw in new listeners. For the most part 'Voyage' won't do that.

    But to be fair...it wasn't trying to. So my opinion is irrelevant. I'm glad ABBA's core fans enjoyed it.    … Expand
  11. PrThKi
    Nov 19, 2021
    0
    ABBA's first album release in 40 years is nothing less than, in my opinion, very poor.
    Every track is so underwhelming, to the point of pure boredom.
    This kind of material is really a thing of the past and doesn't 'fit in' with the modernistic vibe of today's music charts. Disappointing.
  12. Menios
    Dec 2, 2021
    7
    Very good effort. Not fantastic, but very listenable. The girls are still awesome to listen to.
  13. Diegis
    Nov 5, 2021
    10
    With Voyage ABBA have stayed true to themselves in a beautiful, simple, and almost innocent way. Ignoring trends and with nothing to prove having sold hundreds of millions of records worldwide and having hundreds of millions of admirers (among the famous ones including Foo Fighters’ David Grohl, The WHO’s Peter Townshend, Bono, Elvis Costello, Madonna, Portishead’s Ben Wheatley, KyleWith Voyage ABBA have stayed true to themselves in a beautiful, simple, and almost innocent way. Ignoring trends and with nothing to prove having sold hundreds of millions of records worldwide and having hundreds of millions of admirers (among the famous ones including Foo Fighters’ David Grohl, The WHO’s Peter Townshend, Bono, Elvis Costello, Madonna, Portishead’s Ben Wheatley, Kyle Minogue, Sid Vicious and John Joseph Lydon from The Sex Pistols, Smashing Pumpkin’s Billy Corgan, Oasis’ Noel Gallagher, The Verve’s Richard Ashcroft, Gene Simmons from Kiss, Tim Rice-Oxley of Keane, Brian Eno, Metallica’s James Hetfield, just to name a few) ABBA have made an album that feels confident, mature, and varied, but above all with melodies that only someone like Benny Andersson can write. Overtly sometimes but mostly subtly, his musical genius sparkles in every song on this album. Oh how many songwriters wish they could write simple songs that have the musical and melodic depth that all of the songs on this album have. With the genius of Andersson infused deep in this album, and with a lot of evident love and joy from the other three members of ABBA as well, one has to listen carefully and with the same love for art and music that these four Swedes have, in order to treasure this small masterpiece. With every song Voyage takes you on a Voyage — a mature, unique, simple, yet deep and melancholic voyage that only someone in their seventies, with the life experiences and musical experiences that Benny Andersson has, can take you. No need for me to review any song in particular. Every song is a highlight. Period! And ABBA sound just like ABBA. The voices of the two ladies sound impeccable despite both of them being over 70. The production is spot on. A treasure.… Expand
  14. tabster
    Nov 10, 2021
    10
    ABBA's music is always far more complex musically and lyrically than it seems at first listen. This album is no exception. Beautifully made and sung, with surprising lyrical couplets and hooks galore. From stately ballads "I Still Have Faith In You" and "Ode to Freedom" to bouncy pop with "Just A Notion" and "No Doubt About It", ABBA delivers. "I Can Be That Woman" is truly heartbreaking,ABBA's music is always far more complex musically and lyrically than it seems at first listen. This album is no exception. Beautifully made and sung, with surprising lyrical couplets and hooks galore. From stately ballads "I Still Have Faith In You" and "Ode to Freedom" to bouncy pop with "Just A Notion" and "No Doubt About It", ABBA delivers. "I Can Be That Woman" is truly heartbreaking, and the tension between exes is palpable on the joint custody euro-styled "Keep Your Eye On Dan". "Bumblebee" is a wistful and sad ode to the likely eventual extinction of bees. A gorgeous album that lives up to ABBA's previous classics from 1975's ABBA all the way through 1981's The Visitors. Brilliant.… Expand
  15. tzbenetti
    Dec 6, 2021
    10
    Great Album and an amazing surprise in 2021! It is an introspective and profound ABBA. The melodies and harmonies make me travel!
  16. benjichilders
    Nov 8, 2021
    7
    ABBA are back with their first new album in 40 years! ABBA were a part of my life long before I knew who the Swedish foursome were. The summer I tuned 10, the A★TEENS released their debut album, The ABBA Generation. It was an album of ABBA covers, but to a kid just discovering pop music I had no idea. That album was one of the first pop music records I remember buying. I’m not sure when IABBA are back with their first new album in 40 years! ABBA were a part of my life long before I knew who the Swedish foursome were. The summer I tuned 10, the A★TEENS released their debut album, The ABBA Generation. It was an album of ABBA covers, but to a kid just discovering pop music I had no idea. That album was one of the first pop music records I remember buying. I’m not sure when I realized who ABBA were, but I know their hits have been in my consciousness for most of my life. They were a band of the past before I was even born, so it was never even a thought in my mind that they would release new music after steadfastly refusing to reunite for almost four decades. The album announcement in September took me by surprise and I couldn’t have been more excited!

    Voyage begins with the slow, majestic cadence of “I Still Have Faith in You” before it builds to an anthemic climax. This is the most perfect opener that I can imagine for a new album decades in the making. “When You Danced with Me” is an upbeat song with a euphoric instrumental. The third track, “Little Things”, is a ballad about enjoying the smaller details of a Christmas morning. “Don’t Shut Me Down” is a dancefloor ready number sure to be an ABBA classic; it’s reminiscent of “Dancing Queen”. Track five is the only song that isn’t completely new. “Just a Notion” was written and recorded 1978 and sounds like classic ABBA. “I Can Be That Woman” is a ballad about the breakdown of a relationship and the emotions that come with it. “Keep an Eye on Dan” is reminiscent of “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!” or “SOS” with its dark, tense tone and big chorus. “Bubblebee” features some nice harmonies and is literally about bees in a garden. “No Doubt About It” might be my favorite track on the album, it’s everything I love in an ABBA song. The album closes with a ballad titled “Ode to Freedom”.

    ABBA steer clear of current music trends, instead opting to pick up where they left off. This album feels like a natural progression from their last studio album, The Visitors (1981). While it may not change the course of pop music, Voyage is a fun listen and a nice bookend to a legendary career that absolutely no one ever dreamed would actually happen.

    “We do have it in us,
    New spirit has arrived.”    … Expand
  17. Danne92e
    Nov 5, 2021
    10
    ABBA being ABBA. Like no one else can. The long wait was well worth it! If you like ABBA, you will love this album!
  18. tomeriksen
    Nov 11, 2021
    8
    This album is not as good as their best ones. But c’mon, those were world altering records that changed our perception of music. Voyage does not, but it reminds us of abba’s timeless qualities.
  19. All_ButTrU4
    Jul 29, 2022
    5
    It's not a great album and is rarely a really good one but it's not ever bad. I think when you have as illustrious of a discography as they do they can be a victim of their own creative peak. It's still holds slivers of the stuff we stuck aroundn for but i guess time has warped exactly how they deliver it.
  20. Enomenoi
    Nov 5, 2021
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Just stunning, with lots of variety and heart.
    Standout tracks are “Keep An Eye On Dan”, “Just A Notion”, “When You Danced With Me”, “Don’t Shut Me Down” and the ethereal “Ode To Liberty”    … Expand
  21. phbcsc
    Nov 5, 2021
    10
    Emotional return, ABBA is imortal! This album is nostalgic and take us to a 37 minutes trip to the 70s.
  22. JessicaQ
    Nov 16, 2021
    10
    Beautiful album that get's better the more you listen to. quirky, goofy but also earnest and deep.
  23. MatiasCaminotto
    Nov 5, 2021
    10
    It's amazing how ABBA after forty years still kept its originality and good taste for the creation of its project. POP legends have proven once again to be able to bring all the good old pop with melodic songs, perfect vocals and deep lyrics.
  24. Sixto004
    Nov 5, 2021
    10
    Abba nunca decepciona con sus canciones, siempre mantienen la misma esencia
  25. PhoenixReveiws
    Nov 13, 2021
    7
    Overall a good album, not the biggest fan of ABBA, but I know and love the classics like Dancing Queen, but this album got released and I thought I'd try it out.

    Some songs that stood out among the rest:

    I Still Have Faith in You
    When you Danced with Me
    Don't Shut me Down
    Keep an Eye on Dan
  26. IsmaelChC
    Nov 21, 2021
    10
    Forty years after and ABBA is still being ABBA! Don't Shut Me Down is the finest piece from Voyage, and Just a Notion reminds us how much ABBA sounded back in the 70's. I adore the album
  27. Betelgeuse
    Nov 5, 2021
    10
    Absolutely fantastic, nostalgic, magnificent album
    The 2 released singles are not enough to fulfill the nostalgic sensation of have ABBA again on studio recordings, we have to make a great but real avaliation of it... Vocals of Frida behind Agnetha on "I Can Be That Woman", Yes, You could be wherever you wanna to! On all documentaries, every critic and musician say that agnetha is punch on    Absolutely fantastic, nostalgic, magnificent album
    The 2 released singles are not enough to fulfill the nostalgic sensation of have ABBA again on studio recordings, we have to make a great but real avaliation of it... Vocals of Frida behind Agnetha on "I Can Be That Woman", Yes, You could be wherever you wanna to! On all documentaries, every critic and musician say that agnetha is punch on vocal... On that song, it really proves, after 40 years, we cannot stop the emotions hearing Agnetha on lead vocals again...

    "Little things" prove that Frida vocals are originally preserved of the time... Absolutely incredible Keep an eye on Dan, shows to the public que sonority that remembers "The Visitors", doing a audiovisual memory on fans of European disco! What they really meant to say? Abba and they secrets...

    What we have to talk about "Don't shut me down" and I still have faith on you? Well, Bjorn and Anderson proves that they together know how to choose the true singles to promote something... If I have to make a perfect comparison, I think of "Ode to freedom" is like "The way old friends do"... Originally talking, ABBA really do the best... Perfect synchrony vocals and quality

    This album is a really voyage, what the criticism is waiting for? Another Dancing Queen song ???? Do you really thinking of after 40 years they will be another smash like it...? Just look the DSMD song, and No doubt about it, and we are able to be fulfilled of joy and happiness, Like nostalgics songs of "arrival" album...

    Obviously that Abba will do a Mamma Mia 3!!! There is no reason to not do it!!!


    THANKS ABBA FOR THIS MAGNIFICENT ALBUM!    … Expand
  28. Grahambogan
    Nov 5, 2021
    10
    A beautiful album full of sincerity, heart, and emotion. One that believes in humanity and the idea that things can change for the better. Optimistic but true. A triumph.
  29. Bumblebee29
    Nov 5, 2021
    10
    after 40 years ABBA delivered a just perfect album, all 10 tracks are very well presented, I as a fan say it's a masterpiece
  30. DanM1703
    Nov 5, 2021
    10
    I have reviewed in far more detail on my Youtube channel (Just search ABBA Voyage Review - Dan Molloy)

    ABBA have returned after 40 years with their brand new album, Voyage. The adventure began with the recording of two songs to accompany the band's classic hits on the avatar tour next year. Before long, two songs led to ten and now we finally have a ninth ABBA album. This feels    I have reviewed in far more detail on my Youtube channel (Just search ABBA Voyage Review - Dan Molloy)

    ABBA have returned after 40 years with their brand new album, Voyage. The adventure began with the recording of two songs to accompany the band's classic hits on the avatar tour next year. Before long, two songs led to ten and now we finally have a ninth ABBA album. This feels especially momentous to me as I was born in 1996 long after ABBA had been and gone. This was a triumphant return, I am so overwhelmed at getting to experience a brand new ABBA record. I’ve dreamt of this day for so long and when it finally came, it certainly didn’t disappoint. Voyage is a perfect album for old and new fans alike and perfectly fits in with ABBA’s discography whilst still sounding fresh and exciting. The essence of ABBA is there, dignified and unchanged, refusing to conform to what popular music has become today. A class act as always. Thank you so much to Agnetha, Benny, Bjorn and Anni-Frid for taking us on one last incredible journey with you, a voyage I didn’t want to end.    … Expand
  31. Nickole27
    Nov 5, 2021
    10
    This album is so epic, to listen to an album with so much soul in its lyrics and composition is fascinating, music like that will never be written, that music comes from the heart not to make sales in social networks, ABBA's music will never die.
  32. Xbluannax
    Nov 20, 2021
    9
    What a comeback album after many years quite a short album but worth the wait and hope they do more.
  33. Martinadwalker
    Nov 20, 2021
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This new album from the Swedish superstars needs a few listens to really appreciate the quality of what we have been presented with here. I initially felt a little underwhelmed, like a few of the reviewers too, but have completely changed my mind. So clever, in the main, nodding to the past (Fernando and SOS) but updated perfectly. Songs that are multi-layered. The voices have matured, it's also sometimes hard to distinguish between the two women, but the sound is instantly recognisable. While every Abba album has contained a few duds, and I'd put the sickly "Little Things" into that category, the "whole" has always more than compensated for these. Standout tracks are Don't Shut Me Down, I Still Have Faith in You, I Can Be That Woman, Keep an Eye on Dan and No Doubt About It. I expect to be humming some of them for quite some time. With this album, I'd go as far as to say that we have perhaps even a few new classics on our hands here!… Expand
  34. martinchitz
    Nov 25, 2021
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. 40 años no pasan para ABBA esa esencia esa nostalgia y sentimiento llega a lo más profundo, sin duda es un bello viaje que vale rotundamente la pena escuchar.… Expand
  35. AnssiR
    Feb 19, 2022
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Problems I found with the album:
    1) the running order: the album opens with a ballad, not the best choice to make. Something more uptempo might have given a stronger impression. I Still Have Faith... could have been later on the album, maybe on "side B". A Christmas song as the third track is an odd choice, too.
    2) a mishmash of songs: there is no coherent album feel here, the songs are different styles and moods, emphasized by the odd running order mentioned above.
    3) nothing new: they mainly repeat what they have been doing earlier. They mentioned they wrote the album "trend-blind", which is not bad in itself, but they could have tried something new on their own terms, add some twists and new experiments to their trademark sound and style. The strongest single here, Don't Shut Me Down, displays many of the elements they are best-known for, but as it brings nothing new to the table, it won't probably turn out to be placed in the front row of their canon in the future.
    4) The ABBA sound is missing on several tracks, such as I Still Have Faith...,, Keep An Eye On Dan, Bumblebee. I was rather surprised when I read people's comments that ISHFIY has the very familiar ABBA sound, while I don't hear it at all. if anything, the vocal style of the refrain there reminds me of their early song "Gonna Sing You My Lovesong" which sounds similar and at which stage they were still not settled with their signature sound that they found later. Or, it could be also compared to I Know Him So Well (from Chess) where the refrain anyway is a bit similar as to the melody. Keep an Eye on Dan sounds more Frida solo in the refrain than real ABBA, which is a shame as it is an otherwise good song. The same Frida-emphasis is in the refrain of Bumblebee. Ode To Freedom is not typical ABBA, either, but it can be forgiven as they all sing here in unison as a final farewell.
    4) the vocals are sometimes too low in the mix, notably on the refrain of ISHFIY.
    5) I have already commented on the song I Still Have Faith,,,, but still: I really don't find it a strong song. First of all, it has this musical feel like it could be from Chess, It reminds also of Thank You For The Music, but TYFTM was a part of a mini-musical and its musical feel was then appropriate and motivated. With ISHFIY, there is no reason for it to sound like a musical number, but it does anyway. It is like the composer did not manage to hold the dear children apart - ABBA in this basket, and yes, we did musicals too. they go in that other basket. The melody is not strong either. It starts well enough, but soon enough, when we come to the long phrase "through all these years that faith lives on/somehow" it is too complicated for people to hum or sing, to be catchy - compare something like "the winner takes it all/the loser has to fall/it's simple and it's plain/why should I complain" which has short, easily-remembered lines - I quoted those from memory, while I had to google the lyrics for the ISHFIY snippet above. If ISHFIY had managed to keep to that kind of simplicity in the melody, we would be talking of a whole different level of comeback. Also the song is complex in its structure and only arrives at the refrain at the two-minute mark. The song has three distinct parts which repeat but the melody never "comes to a rest" until the very end of the song, and even the melody is not brought to rest using the vocal line, only through the instruments, which I find a bit weak, even if probably the intention was different. The complicated structure of the song also takes a dedicated effort for someone to learn to actualyl sing it from beginning to end properly.
    6) the cover art is bland compared to their often original and inventive cover art back in the day

    Good things I find about the album:
    1) I was impressed with the lyrics. Many people have commented that the lyrics and the subject matter of the songs are a bit odd at times, but I find them successful throughout. Every song has excellent lyrics, from start to finish. Some people have commented that for example the lyrics of I Can Be That Woman are odd, but I find them good and effective. The same goes for all other songs, including Bumblebee.
    2) When You Danced With Me, I Can Be That Woman and No Doubt About It are especially nice surprises and strong examples of their continued good songwriting. Don't Shut Me Down could be a prime example on any songwriting course of how to write a perfect pop song. It also has many nice gimmicks, such as the chorus melody of the song sung at the beginning with different lyrics, etc.
    3) This album obviously was made with love for the fans and ABBA really wanted to include everything they are known and loved for. This genuine gesture can make one overlook and forgive any perceived shortcomings on the album.
    4) the fact that they came together and made this album sets a strong example of how old quarrels can be forgotten and anything can happen if you believe    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

40
#40 Most Discussed Album of 2021

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
72

Generally favorable reviews - based on 16 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16
  1. Uncut
    Dec 17, 2021
    70
    It's silly in parts ("Little Things"), deranged in others ("Keep An Eye On Dan") but the "ah-ha ah-ha" chorus on "Just A Notion" comfortably makes up for a multitude of sins. [Feb 2022, p.23]
  2. Beats Per Minute
    Nov 30, 2021
    75
    Benny’s production work at times does a disservice to the material but, for the most part, Voyage is a welcome addition to the ABBA canon.
    Read full review
  3. Mojo
    Nov 16, 2021
    60
    While there's nothing here that immediately screams to be considered in the front rank of their input, the more you listen, the more it feels like being reunited with some long-lost, missing-presumed-dead relatives. ... Voyage is just as good as you expect. [Jan 2022, p.84]
See all critic reviews »