Introduction
The album was primarily recorded at their “HQ” studio in Björn’s house on Hipsholmen island in Stockholm. The idea for a full album was initially unplanned; they only intended to record a couple of new tracks for next year’s live show, which will feature digital recreations (avatars) of the band as they appeared in 1979. However, they enjoyed the process so much that “two songs became a couple more, and then a few more, so we have an album.”
Björn admits it’s “emotionally very difficult to grasp” that the reunion is actually happening after 40 years, but he feels no pressure to “prove anything,” stating, “if people think that we were better 40 years ago, fine.” Both Agnetha and Frida were happy to record but are equally happy not to perform live, leaving the digital stage to the avatars.
The album revisits old themes, including the end of a marriage, a topic relevant to ABBA’s famously public divorces. Benny clarifies he never discussed his own divorce with anyone other than Frida at the time.
Regarding the live show featuring the “avatars,” it will premiere in May [2022] in a purpose-built venue in London. The motion capture process required ABBA to perform the songs in a TV studio for five weeks. A notable sacrifice was made when both Benny and Björn had to shave their beards for the motion capture, a decision Benny “hated” and vowed never to repeat.
While “Voyage” marks a momentous comeback, Björn states that this is “it” for him and he doesn’t want to do another ABBA album. However, he admits he might change his mind if the other three “twist [his] arm.” Benny concurs, saying he “never say never” but agreeing with Björn that this album feels like “my goodbye.”