The Rolling Stones unveil “Foreign Tongues”, their new album

The Rolling Stones continue their recording comeback with the release of two new tracks, “In The Stars” and the much talked-about “Rough and Twisted,” previously available only on vinyl. These songs offer a first glimpse of Foreign Tongues, their 26th studio album due out on July 10, featuring an impressive lineup of guest artists. Both tracks are now added to the playlist on Blues Actu Radio.

These new compositions remain rooted in the band’s classic sound: a blend of rock, blues and country driven by songwriting that still draws from the foundations that shaped their identity since the 1960s. But Foreign Tongues also appears more open-ended, exploring a wider range of styles, from punk to more contemporary textures.

Two brand new tracks to discover!

On Foreign Tongues, the core trio of Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood is joined by Darryl Jones, Steve Jordan and Matt Clifford. The record also includes recordings by Charlie Watts, who passed away in 2021, taken from his final studio sessions, including material connected to the band’s latest album Hackney Diamonds. His presence gives the project a strong sense of continuity with the group’s recent history.

As with Hackney Diamonds (2023), the band once again worked with producer Andrew Watt. The decision confirms the Stones’ desire to embrace a modern production style while preserving their unmistakable sound. Recorded during a fast-paced and particularly intense period, the project draws from a large stockpile of songs accumulated over recent years, combined with fresh sessions that give the album a raw and immediate energy.

Prestigious collaborations

The album is also expected to feature several high-profile guests, including Paul McCartney, Steve Winwood, Robert Smith and Chad Smith, drummer for Red Hot Chili Peppers.

A lineup that once again confirms the central place of the Rolling Stones in the international rock landscape, capable of bringing together multiple generations of artists around their projects. With these two new tracks, the Rolling Stones continue the momentum launched with Hackney Diamonds, which marked their return to the studio after several years without a new album.

The artwork for Foreign Tongues was created by contemporary artist Nathaniel Mary Quinn, whose work, blending figuration and fragmentation, brings a distinctive visual dimension to the project, even if not everyone is convinced by it!

What about the music?

While only limited details have emerged regarding the precise content of Foreign Tongues, several tracks are already standing out. Rough And Twisted, previously released on vinyl under the pseudonym The Cockroaches, is a raw track heavily influenced by 1970s blues rock. With its modern production and instantly catchy chorus, the new single In The Stars feels like a cross between the efficiency of Angry, the classicism of Mixed Emotions and the more contemporary sounds the Stones have explored since Living In A Ghost Town.

The album will also feature an unexpected cover of You Know I’m No Good, the famous Amy Winehouse track from Back To Black (2006). The information was revealed by Jimmy Fallon during Ronnie Wood’s appearance on his show. The song is expected to bring a more soulful and jazzy touch to a record that already seems eager to explore a wide range of moods and musical references.

Mick Jagger has also mentioned more contrasted songs such as Ringing Hollow, with its country influences, while Hit Me In The Head, clocking in at under three minutes, is already being described as one of the album’s most direct and punk-oriented tracks. Finally, Beautiful Delilah raises curiosity as it borrows the title of a rockabilly classic popularized by Chuck Berry, frequently played by the Stones in their early years. According to early reactions, the album carries an energy reminiscent of the band’s greatest moments, somewhere between the raw spontaneity of Exile on Main St. and a more contemporary sense of efficiency.

More than sixty years after their debut, the band continues to release new material and expand its repertoire without breaking away from its roots. Foreign Tongues fits perfectly within that logic: a legendary band remaining active, not trying to reinvent itself entirely, but strengthening what has always made it unique. It’s only rock’n’roll, but we like it!

What they say about it

“We didn’t want to repeat ourselves. There’s country, punk, blues, rock… The sessions were intense.” – Mick Jagger

“There’s a real continuity with the previous record. We still love recording in the studio.” – Keith Richards

“Playing together in the Stones is like an ancient form of weaving. Everyone brings their own thread and everything naturally blends together.” – Ronnie Wood

Full tracklist

1. Rough And Twisted – 4:40
2. In The Stars – 4:13
3. Jealous Lover – 3:50
4. Mr. Charm – 4:34
5. Divine Intervention – 4:46
6. Ringing Hollow – 5:18
7. Never Wanna Lose You – 4:31
8. Hit Me In The Head – 2:57
9. You Know I’m No Good – 4:54 – Amy Winehouse cover
10. Some Of Us – 4:01
11. Covered In You – 4:32
12. Side Effects – 4:35
13. Back In Your Life – 6:13
14. Beautiful Delilah – 3:29 – Chuck Berry cover?

Watch the trailer