Rolling Stones release 25th album 'Foreign Tongues' as Jagger nears 83
The Rolling Stones return with 'Foreign Tongues', their 25th studio album, blending blues rock, dance, and political commentary as Mick Jagger prepares to turn 83.
The album
'Foreign Tongues' is the 25th studio album by the Rolling Stones, arriving this month as frontman Mick Jagger turns 83. The record opens with the crashing blues rocker 'Rough And Twisted', a return to the band's musical roots. It is followed by the stadium-ready midtempo anthem 'In The Stars', whose guitar riff sits somewhere between 'Start Me Up' and 'Rock And A Hard Place'. The album follows 2023's 'Hackney Diamonds', which ended an 18-year studio drought.
- Release of 'Hackney Diamonds', first studio album in 18 years
- Release of 25th album 'Foreign Tongues'; Mick Jagger turns 83
Jagger's voice
Jagger's vocal performance is a centrepiece. On the single 'Jealous Lover' he moves effortlessly into falsetto, a technique he says came naturally.
Guitarist Ronnie Wood was struck by the power still in Jagger's voice.I wrote that on the piano and sang everything in falsetto. To be honest, it's not particularly hard.
He surprised us with how much strength is still in his voice. With his singing he raises the bar a little higher every time.
A versatile set
Jagger describes the album's recipe as mixing many styles.
The pulsating 'Never Wanna Lose You' is the standout dance track, while 'Hit Me In The Head' is a crashing rock song. The emotional ballad 'Back in Your Life' features an extended guitar solo by Wood, inspired by the recent deaths of two heroes.You want as many different styles as possible on an album. In this case it's rock, dance, country, ballads and everything in between.
Loss and inspiration
Wood channelled grief over the passing of Beach Boy Brian Wilson and soul legend Sly Stone, who died in the same week.
Wood says the album recaptures the energy of the Jimmy Miller era, when classics like 'Let It Bleed' and 'Exile on Main St.' were made.Both were important influences in my life and it was a heavy loss that they both died in one week. I thought especially of Brian. And suddenly it was as if the guitar played itself for me.
Political undertones
After a long absence, political commentary returns. The country-folk ballad 'Ringing Hollow' initially sounds like a love song, but its subject is the United States. Jagger sings, 'Lady Liberty doesn't look so good when she makes a face.' On 'Mr Charm' he takes a swipe at 'crazy mogul Mr. Musk'.
