For the first time in 40 years, Swedish pop sensation ABBA has released new music. Here is a quick analysis of the tracks not to be missed.

ABBA’s ability to produce classic pop songs is unprecedented. This put them at the top of the charts in the ’70s, and now, almost 40 years after their last album, the kings and queens of Swedish pop are back. From funky fun to tearful, their new album Trip he has got everything.

The album begins with the track “I Still Have Faith In You”, a bittersweet melody that will be playing at graduations and weddings around the world in no time. The song reflects the ups and downs of a romantic relationship and how, despite all the challenges, they still trust each other. It’s a beautiful testament to the power of love, friendship and courage, and kicks off the album as only ABBA can: with a shameless power ballad that will remain etched in my head for the foreseeable future.

“Just A Notion” could be straight out of Do you want, and should have a third Mom Mia! production in no time. A fun and funky accusation, ABBA once again combines emotional lyrics and upbeat instrumentals in a way only they can. Regarding content, “Just A Notion” describes a girl who has “just a notion” that she can’t prove, and that notion changes from word to word.

The third song on the album, “Little Things” immediately brought tears to my eyes. It describes a parent telling about the little things that made their life with their children so unforgettable, especially around Christmas time. A perfect balance between the innocence of childhood, the magic of Christmas and the foresight of parents, this song comes together to be the perfect storm of emotions for those of us who are prone to nostalgia.

“I can be that woman” is a raw portrayal of a dysfunctional couple in the middle of a fight. The song’s namesake, the lyrics “I Can Be That Woman”, is a heartbreaking call from a woman to keep trying to work on the relationship despite past mistakes. This song explores the idea of ​​a couple breaking up, and that, combined with the cries of remorse that litter the lyrics, come together to paint a heartbreaking picture of a family in peril.

“Keep an eye on Dan” can be easily overlooked, but it shouldn’t be. The song describes a mother rushing to drop off her son Dan at his father’s house so that she can have a nervous breakdown about her divorce without her son seeing it. The beginning of the song, where the narrator is on the verge of an anxiety attack, perfectly portrays the parental stress of not wanting your young child to see you down. The desperation in the lyrics to “Keep An Eye on Dan” becomes more and more evident as the line is repeated, and the urgency of the song is one of its most effective qualities.

Although I only touched a few of the tracks on this album, all of the songs are worth at least one listening. Overall, the album explores themes of love, growth, and parenthood. ABBA’s music and themes grew with them, and although this is a more domestic album as far as the theme is concerned; the sound is classic ABBA. I have no doubt that each listening will shed light on new lyrics, and that over the years each song will become more and more meaningful to me, just like all other ABBA songs. To end with a quote from one of my dear friends:

“There is an ABBA song for every feeling and circumstance.”

With their new album Trip, ABBA has once again proven this to be true.