ABBA.

With ABBA, a melancholic thought often lies behind a clear refrain. Their records continue to work because harmonies, rhythm, and melody know exactly when to give each other space.

Arrival and the self-titled album ABBA demonstrate how much can happen in a clear chorus. The voices reinforce each other, but each retains its own color.

Voulez-Vous emphatically brings the rhythm to the forefront. Voyage brings the familiar harmonies into a different setting. Place the records side by side and listen to what remains recognizable in the melodies.

The development of the group takes center stage in the ABBA Story. Eurovision provides context for Waterloo; pop and disco open further listening routes.

Bee Gees connect group singing with its own rhythmic tension. Madonna gives the danceable refrain other forms. Loreen, Cyndi Lauper, Elton John, and Stevie Wonder broaden the selection below.

When listening to a familiar refrain, also listen to the piano and the voices in the background. They allow joy and melancholy to coexist. The melody remains clear, while the feeling becomes less simple.