Rolling Stones
Foreign Tongues
"On Foreign Tongues, The Rolling Stones defy the calendar with a raw, timeless surge of blues-rock that honors their deepest roots while proving their signature swagger remains entirely untouched by time."
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Jason Landry, contributor
One of my entry points into the genre of blues-rock was through the music of The Rolling Stones. This band blended both blues and rock so seamlessly and have so many classic songs in their repertoire, it continues to amaze me what they have been able to accomplish in their career. Their last two albums, Blue & Lonesome and Hackney Diamonds were especially good. So when they announced a new studio album was dropping in 2026 called Foreign Tongues, I found chatter on the Internet to be conflicted. I mean, I don’t blame people for their comments. The main guys in this band are in the 80’s. Not only that, I've witnessed some lead singers (not Mick) refuse to quit even when their voice is horrible, and some older bands keep touring when they are well past their prime. But for the most part, bands generally don’t usually last this long. I mean, how many bands can you count that are still active and relevant sixty years after their first number one hit? So as a critic, I couldn’t wait to see what they created, because what I find is, when they are firing on all cylinders, no one can touch them.
A FEW HIGHLIGHTS
The album launches straight ahead into a pure blues-rock banger called “Rough And Twisted”, a raw and gritty anthem with Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood’s dueling guitars jockeying for position before their faithful lead singer Mick Jagger dives in with his signature vocals and wailing harmonica. This track was originally released on vinyl under the pseudonym The Cockroaches, a band name that they used back in the day when they did secret pop up gigs.
The first song that they released to promote this album was “In The Stars”, most likely because it sounds just like a classic Rolling Stones track. The one amazing thing that I felt right away was Steve Jordan’s drum fills sounded so familiar that I could have sworn that it was their former drummer Charlie Watts behind the skins. These small details that Jordan was able to incorporate into his own playing helps to solidify the band’s signature sound. And when you hear it, you just know.
“Jealous Lover” has an R&B flair to it with Jagger’s voice hitting an awkward high-pitched register during the versus before returning to his natural singing voice in the chorus.
Who is “Mr. Charm” anyways? This song does mention …mad mogul Mr. Musk, but I cannot imagine Jagger & Richards are sitting around writing songs about Elon. This tune does have a steady groove and some great background vocals. The conflicting guitar riffs bouncing from the right and left speakers balance out with the bass and drums driving straight down the middle.
“Divine Intervention” in my opinion is a radio-friendly pop rock song and features a guest spot from Robert Smith of The Cure on guitar. I didn’t see that collaboration on this year’s bingo card.
“Ringing Hollow” takes it down a notch bringing in a classic country feel with Jagger’s vocals being doubled in some sections with Richards throaty growls.
“Never Wanna Lose You” has this late seventies disco bass line. Parts of this song are so nostalgic that it feels like the KISS song, “I Was Made For Loving You”.
“Hit Me In The Head” was created during one of the last sessions they did with Charlie Watts who passed in 2021. It quite honestly might be one of the fastest Stones tracks (tempo wise) that I’ve ever heard.
A tasteful and smooth rendition of the Amy Winehouse song “You Know I’m No Good” also appears on the latter half of the album that is not too far from the original.
On the ballad “Some Of Us”, Keith Richards takes the lead vocal reigns. I always found the sound of his voice to be a cross between Bob Dylan and the late Warren Zevon. I probably would have saved this track for a solo album, but when your name is one half of the writing duo, your say in the matter holds weight.
I love the inclusion of “Back In Your Life” to the track list. It felt reminiscent—like a power ballad crossed with some of their early acoustic hits.
The stripped down version of the Chuck Berry cover “Beautiful Delilah” is a fitting close to this album. The Stones always know how to tip their hat back to some of their earliest influences, such as blues heavyweights Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Buddy Guy, or in this case, Berry. Although the Stones took what they learned from these cats and created something their very own, they never forget the sounds that they heard on those early vinyl records that prompted them to make music in the first place.
The most amazing thing about The Rolling Stones, regardless of when their last few albums were released, is the fact that you can’t pinpoint a time and a place. This music on Foreign Tongues could have been recorded in the 80’s, 90’s or last month. Jagger’s vocals are strong, Richards and Wood’s guitars are as free wheeling and raw as always, and the various cast of guests including Steve Winwood on Keys, Andrew Watt producing and playing guitar, and even Sir Paul McCartney making a reprising role on bass on one of the tracks rounds out the sound. Foreign Tongues is solid album throughout. If the first track on this album doesn’t convince or entice you, then forget about everything that I wrote. It’s not for you.