Why ABBA songs just hit different
Swedish supergroup ABBA is releasing their first album in forty years, making this the perfect time for Nate and Charlie to investigate what makes their music so beloved and reviled in equal measure. For every ABBA stan, there\u2019s a hater lurking, like legendary pop critic Robert Christgau, who once said of the group: \u201cWe have met the enemy, and they are them.\u201d That suspicion was earned through ABBA\u2019s musical catchiness and lyrical earnestness, but regardless of how you feel about their music, their compositional acumen cannot be denied.\n\nThe longevity of their songs is testament to that musical brilliance. So after breaking down the vocal contrast, musical maximalism, and studio wizardry used to concoct world-beating hits like \u201cSuper Trouper,\u201d \u201cMamma Mia,\u201d and \u201cDancing Queen,\u201d Nate and Charlie turn their ears to the band\u2019s latest singles, \u201cDon\u2019t Shut Me Down\u201d and \u201cI Still Have Faith in You,\u201d to determine whether the newest releases represent a return to classic form or a departure into new sonic realms.\n\nSongs Discussed\n\nABBA - Super Trouper, Mamma Mia, Dancing Queen, Don\u2019t Shut Me Down, I Still Have Faith in You\nLearn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices