Van Leersum’s opinion is reflected in most reviews. Pop magazine Rolling Stone concludes in the headline that the long wait was worth it. “Rather than chasing trends, ABBA sticks to the classic sound they once perfected.” The Swedish newspaper Dagens Nyheter is also positive; the magazine thinks the record “makes the whole world dance and sing”.
The Guardian’s verdict is so different. “No thank you for the music”, headlines the British newspaper, referring to an ABBA hit. According to the newspaper, the high expectations are far from being fulfilled. The Christmas issue Little Things has even been called a “great crime against feeling and sentimentality”.
Expectations too high?
The people who hit in the category again Waterloo on Oh Mama had expected, may have had too high expectations, says Van Leersum. “It remains a very recognizable ABBA record, but that does not mean that all songs will become number 1 hits. The last songs of ABBA were not either.”
The fan thinks that Voyage especially an album for the real fans. The fact that Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, Agnetha Fältskog and Frida Lyndstad clicked again during a reunion was a stroke of luck. “I think it has become a whole record purely out of their own enthusiasm. For us as fans that is of course great.”
Cassettebandje
Whatever the opinions are: that many people Voyage want to hear, that’s for sure. In Berlin, among others, fans stood last night in the pouring rain at a large record store to be the first to buy the album. It is also widely listened to on platforms such as Spotify and YouTube. To bring the feeling of the past even closer, is Voyage Also available as a cassette tape.
On the day of the release, ABBA member Björn Ulvaeus had an annoying announcement for the fans: the chance that there will be another album is very small. “I never say never,” Ulvaeus said, “but I don’t think we’ll be recording any more.”
Jolanda van Leersum is happy with it. She already has another ABBA moment to look forward to next September: a concert in London.
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