After a number of false dawns, Abba have confirmed that they will release their first new songs since 1982.
The Swedish group, who ruled the charts in the seventies and eighties, returned to the studio in 2018 and were scheduled to release new material later that year but nothing materialised.
However, speaking to CNBC, Abba's Bjorn Ulvaeus confirmed his band mate Benny Andersson’s statements earlier this year that songs were due in 2020.
"They’re coming this year. I’m guessing after the summer," Ulvaeus said. "But I can only guess, because I’m not really sure. But I would think so."
The band, which also features star vocalists Agnetha Fältskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad, recorded two new songs in 2018.
Speaking about the 2018 sessions, Ulvaeus added, "It took half a minute and somehow we were back in time like we had been there yesterday as well. It was so strange."
Watch our 2018 interview with Bjorn and Benny
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Ulvaeus had previously suggested that the band could release their first new album since 1981’s The Visitors.
However, he ruled out the possibility of the band ever touring again, saying, "But for us to perform on stage that’s just not going to happen. That’s a definite."
He also discussed the new songs. "One of them is a pop tune, very danceable," he said. "The other is more timeless, more reflective, that is all I will say. It is Nordic sad, but happy at the same time."
The band were due to premier new song I Still Have Faith In You during Christmas 2018 on the BBC, with the band appearing as avatars or ABBAtars of themselves.
It was also reported that year that another new song, Do Not Shut Me Down, and a new documentary called Thank You For The Music are also due for release.
Ulvaeus also told the Evening Standard at the time that being back in the studio was a "wonderful" experience. "When we were all four in the studio that was amazing because we hadn’t been in a studio situation since the beginning of the Eighties," he said.
"We were standing there in these familiar surroundings and we looked at each other and it took 15 seconds and we were back."
Earlier that year, Andersson also discussed the possibility of the band doing another album.
"Doing another album is like doing Mamma Mia 3: what is the point unless there is a good reason, good script, good environment?" he said. "It is such a joyful experience, so that is a reason to do it."
Abba released eight studio albums in their 10 years of global success, with their final album, The Visitors, coming out in 1981.
There was another resurgence of interest in Abba’s music following the release of Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again.
Cher, who starred in the new movie, also released an album of Abba covers.
