ABBA records 2 songs, first new material in 35 years

Associated Press

London – Mamma Mia! The members of ABBA announced Friday that they have recorded new material for the first time in 35 years.

Bjorn Kristian Ulvaeus, member of Swedish disco group ABBA, poses at the world's first permanent ABBA museum, in this May 6, 2013 file photo in Stockholm

The Swedish pop supergroup said it had recorded two new songs, including one titled “I Still Have Faith in You.”

The news was announced in an Instagram statement from Benny Andersson, Bjorn Ulvaeus, Anni-Frid Lyngstad and Agnetha Faltskog.

ABBA won the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest with “Waterloo” and had a sequin-spangled string of hits including “Dancing Queen” and “Take a Chance on Me” before splitting up in 1982.

The band’s statement said the members reunited to plan a virtual tour featuring digital avatars, and decided to go back into the studio.

ABBA said “it was like time had stood still and that we had only been away on a short holiday. An extremely joyous experience!”

“I Still Have Faith In You” is due to be performed by the group’s holograms in a December TV special broadcast by the BBC and NBC. There was no word on when the second track will be released.

The band members have long said they will never perform live together again.

Inductees Anni-Frid Princessan Reuss and Benny Andersson of ABBA speak onstage at the 25th Annual Rock And Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in this March 15, 2010 file photo.