Abba's return will be either genius or disaster – but nothing in between | Alexis Petridis

The Swedish four-piece, returning with new material after 35 years, have seen critics finally acclaim their pop brilliance – but they still aren’t immune from writing turkeys

• ‘I Still Have Faith In You’ – What do you think Abba’s new song will be like?

We live in an era where almost every legendary band that can re-form has re-formed, and where technology means not even death is a barrier to 2Pac or Roy Orbison taking the stage once more. The artists who refuse to return carry a certain cachet, and Abba were the most famous hold-outs of all, which makes their decision to record new material a surprise, especially because they don’t need the money.

Related: Abba announce first new songs for 35 years