Foreign Tongues by The Rolling Stones

Three years after delivering a comeback as surprising as it was convincing with Hackney Diamonds (2023), The Rolling Stones are already back for more. Many might have believed that this previous record marked a final curtain call before closing the chapter for good. But that isn’t the case. With Foreign Tongues, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood prove that this rebirth was not a flash in the pan, for this twenty-fifth studio album stands as its confirmation.

The choice of its title is no accident. For more than six decades, the Stones have spoken the universal language of rock. But Foreign Tongues (literally “Foreign Tongues”) shows mostly that they continue to practice other dialects without ever losing their own accent. Blues, rock, country, pop, funk—the group moves through genres with ease while remaining instantly identifiable from the very first note. This idea also permeates the superb cover art imagined by Nathaniel Mary Quinn. The faces of Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood gradually fuse into one another until they form a single entity, almost caricature-like. A strange image that perfectly symbolizes what The Rolling Stones have become: a band where individual personalities now blend into a shared identity forged over six decades.

A Common Language

From the very first seconds, “Rough And Twisted,” unveiled as the lead single a few weeks ahead of the album, sweeps away the remaining doubts left by Hackney Diamonds. The instantly recognizable blues riffs, the still-impressive voice of Mick Jagger, and a chorus that sticks in the memory set the tone. “In The Stars” continues this momentum with a lighter, more ethereal melody that recalls passages from some of the group’s more recent records. Yet Foreign Tongues soon refuses to be boxed into a single direction. The funk-inflected touch of “Jealous Lover” provides a welcome breath before “Mr. Charm” simply blows the roof off. A true centerpiece of the album, this track has everything that makes a Stones anthem: an irresistible riff, a chorus that imprints itself instantly, and that infectious energy that makes you want to hear it live (perhaps on a 2027 tour?). The good surprises continue with “Divine Intervention,” which features Robert Smith, the iconic figure from The Cure, subtly enriching the textures of the song. Far from a mere marketing play, this collaboration adds a fresh hue without ever distorting the Stones’ identity. This open-minded approach also surfaces in “Never Wanna Lose You,” with a rhythm propelled by synthesizers also provided by Robert Smith and almost eighties-tinged accents giving it a truly unique texture. The collaborations do not stop there, as Paul McCartney also lends his bass to “Covered In You,” while Chad Smith, drummer of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, adds his punch to “Beautiful Delilah.” Additionally, “Hit Me In The Hand” channels a fierce energy, proving the Stones can still sound like a bona fide rock group. The track takes on a particular dimension as it marks the last studio recording of Charlie Watts with the Rolling Stones before his passing in 2021. A final appearance that lends this burst of energy an added symbolic weight.

One of the album’s curiosities is undoubtedly the cover of Amy Winehouse’s “You Know I’m No Good.” A delicate exercise that the band chooses to tackle without trying to imitate the original. The Stones reinvent it in a rougher, bluesier register, turning this contemporary classic into a sincere homage rather than a simple cover. In the end, the journey closes with “Beautiful Delilah,” a Chuck Berry cover (one of the fathers of rock and roll) recorded in a deliberately raw and spontaneous spirit. This finale stands out, giving the sense of witnessing an impromptu jam session among friends. This impression is reinforced by Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers) behind the drums and Bruno Mars, who adds his cowbell touch. An unexpectedly star-studded cast that contributes to the singular charm of this final track.

Foreign Tongues thus confirms that the greatest strength of The Rolling Stones has always been their ability to keep speaking their own language. As if they had finally given new meaning to the one devised by John Pasche in 1970, no longer merely a logo, but the perfect metaphor for a band that, six decades on, continues to speak rock better than anyone.

The Rolling Stones – Foreign Tongues article originally appeared on RockUrLife – a rock, metal, alternative, pop, punk, indie webzine.