Buy A here (Apple Music)
Stream A here (Spotify)
Good lord. You wait 10 years for a new Agnetha album and when the dream finally comes true she unleashes it on the world all guns blazing with a surprisingly energetic media blitz that has been hard to resist. “A” is an outstanding piece of work that manages to be both timelessly classic and yet contemporary without ever feeling like it’s singer is bowing to current musical trends or fads. Rather she (ably aided by a winning producer) effortlessly incorporates subtle nods to the current musical landscape, blending them to seamless beauty with proven, well crafted song structure. It ensures that whether or not this is Agnetha’s last ever album, it’s one for the ages – an enduring testament to one of the most beautiful voices of our time. However, the project is barely 3 months old and already it’s on it’s 3rd single (if you count different releases in different territories). Like a fine wine, “A” should be appreciated over time – and while I have no doubt it will be, here is my slightly slowed down single release strategy for the album
- When You Really Loved Someone (March 2013) ~ the first single in most of Europe is a delightful mid-tempo arrangement that actually has a dub-step inspired middle 8 that powers the song to an almighty finish. Agnetha settles into the role of wise sage beautifully – narrating her experiences learned over the years to the new generation willing to learn. Britney, Christina, Gaga et al should be breathlessly paying attention…
- The One Who Loves You Now (May 2013) ~ this was the alternate release for Germany while the rest of the world got When (kind of reminding me of when Celine simultaneously released Falling Into You and Because You Loved Me in different parts of the world. Ditto Whitney and I Believe In You & Me/Step by Step)… Possibly the most Abba-sounding ballad on the album, it’s faultless from start to finish. Agnetha could always do wistful yearning in the most beautiful of musical settings and this is just lovely.
- Dance The Pain Away (Jul 2013) ~ Most albums have a single that fans are chomping at the bit to be released. Whether it be My Name Is Not Susan, Deeper Shade of Blue, Shocked or Runaway Baby, it’s a tricky balancing act. Release it too early and the buzz & impetus to buy the album may fade away. Wait too long and everyone may actually own it already! A bit of delayed gratification could have worked wonders with this (the current single). A swirling disco epic that wouldn’t sound out of place on Voulez Vous, it sees Agnetha embracing the disappointments life brings and losing herself in the music. And indeed, hasn’t that been her musical testament all these years? And the remixes will no doubt have everyone twirling around like it’s 1976 and Dancing Queen has just been released. Simply. Glorious.
- Back On Your Radio (Oct 2013 ~ there is something utterly enchanting about this song that makes it one for the ages. I'm not sure whether it is it's sixties inspired girl group styled instrumental or that indelibly catchy hook or Agnetha's sweetly yearning vocal that is a master class in nuanced elegance. In truth, it's probably all of these things converging into something quite wonderful and magnificent that doesn't sound like anything on your radio right now. It rises above that and is all the better for it. Just glorious and lovely.
- I Should Have Followed You Home (ft Gary Barlow) (DEC 2013) ~ Take the lead singer of Sweden’s most beloved group and pair her with the lead singer of Britain’s most enduring boy band & the result is more than anyone could have hoped for. Delicate and fragile, the song realises that less is more and allows for those regretful lyrics to be the focus of the wonderful entwining of Gary & Agnetha’s vocals. A mid-tempo marvel (that feels like it would also work as a pounding dance remix), imagine how soaring this would be if the duo performed it on the first live results show of the X Factor to launch the single release? Guaranteed number one!
Well, I didn't quite get Agnetha and Gary performing together on X Factor, but what actually happened (a good 5 months after I wrote this) was even more brilliant & surprising than anyone could have predicted. Yup, the live performance of the duet actually did happen on Children in Need Rocks with both performers looking more youthful & gorgeous than they had any right to ;) The moment that Agnetha takes the stage is one for the history books - it sends goosebumps up your spine, down your arms and back again as she does this small head nod to the crowd before launching into that wistful melancholy performance that you can view here. Everything about this is designed to thrill long time Abba/Agnetha fans & will no doubt have won them plenty of new admirers. In terms of musical legacy, it doesn't get much better than having these two legendary performers on stage. I'm slightly excited now that something COULD happen for Waterloo's 40th anniversary next year - incidentally, the song hit number one in the UK the day I was born :) My my!
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