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Knowing them, knowing how: Joe Matera breaks down the genius of ABBA in new book

By Taylah Baker

Dec 18, 2025

Joe Matera’s new book unpacks ABBA’s self-titled third album from 1975.

Joe Matera’s new book, The Making of ABBA, reads like a backstage pass to pop perfection.

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With the patience of a scholar and the passion of a lifelong fan, Matera dissects each track, sourcing sounds, keys and structures, and drawing smart, surprising lines to The Beatles, David Bowie, Cat Stevens, Nirvana, KISS, The Who and Queen.

He knows his music theory inside out yet explains it so fluently that even non-musicians feel the click of understanding.

This is a book that flows — dripping like honey — stitching together research, photographs, media reviews, a visit to Stockholm, interviews with musicians and archival reflections from the original foursome.

No stone, no rock and/or roll is left unturned.

At its heart is ABBA, the 1975 self-titled album that brought the band a seemingly eternal flame of fame.

Matera shows how these four Swedes wove their own brand of melancholy, ecstasy and craft into our cultural fabric.

The book, like the album, is timeless.

The Making of ABBA by Joe Matera is on sale now.