Voyage is already the fastest-selling physical release of 2021, though it is likely to face a strong challenge from Adele
Abba’s first new album in four decades is on course to be the best-selling of the year.
Voyage, their long-awaited 10-track collection, has outsold the rest of the top 40 combined in its first three days on sale, the Official Charts Company said.
The album sold 118,000 chart sales over the weekend, putting it on course to be the Swedish band’s 10th UK number one album, and their first studio album to top the UK charts in 40 years.
Voyage is already the fastest-selling physical release and the biggest first-week pure sales (physical and digital) album of 2021 to date.
It could eclipse the first-week sales of Ed Sheeran’s latest offering, Equals, which sold 139,000 copies or streaming equivalent in its first week. If it succeeds, Voyage will become the biggest opening week for an album in over four years.
However, it is likely to face a strong challenge from Adele’s 30, set for release on 19 November – with the artist battling vinyl shortages to ready a reported 500,000 copies for sale.
Abba’s comeback album comes alongside the announcement of their new hologram show, also named Voyage, to be shown in a purpose-built venue in East London. 250,000 tickets have already been sold to the show, which is expected to open in May.
The last time the band hit number one came in 2008 when Gold returned to the top for two weeks, following the release of the smash hit Mamma Mia! movie.
Their last original album to top the charts was The Visitors. Bandmates Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus have said the latest offering – the band’s final – is intended as the second part of the 1981 album.
The band commented at the time: “It’s been a while since we made music together. Almost 40 years, actually. We took a break in the spring of 1982 and now we’ve decided it’s time to end it.
“They say it’s foolhardy to wait more than 40 years between albums, so we’ve recorded a follow-up to The Visitors.”
Source: INews
