Released this month, “Foreign Tongues”, the 25th studio album from The Rolling Stones, is actually a pleasant surprise. It serves as a neat, highly energetic follow-up to “Hackney Diamonds”. The album successfully references the band’s various musical eras while maintaining a contemporary sound.
While the production is a bit too clean and separated for my personal taste, a legacy band of this stature forces you to make a choice: do you view their style as dated or timeless? Your answer probably depends on your age.
Regardless, there is plenty of spunk, funk, blue-collar ethos, and white-boy blues sensibility on offer here. At the centre of it all is Mick Jagger, who sounds phenomenal for a guy pushing 82. He still has the moves and delivers some mean harmonica playing as well. Respect where respect is due.
Opener “Rough ‘N Twisted” is a high-energy Chicago blues track that kicks the jams up, with immense aplomb.
“In the Stars” features an instant-classic riff that practically screams the band’s name, even without lyrics. It is standard fare, but the sweet melodies and carefree atmosphere make it go down incredibly smooth.
“Jealous Lover”: A more eccentric, polarising track. Jagger leans into his signature weird falsettos over a heavy dose of funk.
“Mr. Charm”: A witty little rocker that seemingly pokes fun at Elon Musk and the rest of the ultra-rich elite.
“Divine Intervention”: Pairs perfectly with “Mr. Charm” as a light-hearted, satirical track that takes sharp shots at the powers that be.
“Ringing Hollow”: A blend of country, rock, and blues. It is a bit all over the place geographically for a bunch of British lads, but it works well regardless.
“Never Wanna Lose You”: Feels like a live jam right from the moment Jagger starts singing. It is a jolly, danceable track elevated by subtle, “Cure-ious” synth textures from guest Robert Smith, you guessed it – of The Cure.
“Hit Me in the Head” makes for a pretty poignant album highlight featuring drum tracks from the late Charlie Watts (recorded in 2021). You can instantly feel his presence — it is a dirtier, groovier, and much more fun track with an infectious energy that makes you want to dance.
“You Know I’m No Good” is a melancholic Amy Winehouse cover, with a great shuffle rhythm. It is a mood shift from most of the rest of the record, but it fits here beautifully.
“Some of Us”: A vulnerable, country-tinged ballad sung by Keith Richards, who delivers a vocals style reminiscent of a hoarser Bob Dylan, possibly from the depths of hell, or the studio’s toilet – because boy… he sounds like he’s singing from SOME distance from the microphone.
“Covered in You” picks up the pace with a steady, driving rock groove that releases into a sweet, melodic chorus. As an added bonus, Paul McCartney provides the bassline here.
“Side Effects”: A standard rocker infused with a touch of melancholy and funk. It occupies a very specific niche on the tracklist but does so handsomely.
“Back In Your Life” is a bit of an epic by Stones metrics, clocking in a full two minutes longer than any other track. It functions as a deeply involved story where Jagger goes off on a lyrical tangent and does not let up until the very end.
“Beautiful Delilah”: The album closes out with a rough, acoustic take on the Chuck Berry classic, which serves as a perfectly fine closer.
Given how incredibly late this arrives in the band’s career, “Foreign Tongues” is a remarkably good album. My only real complaint is the hideous cover art, but in the grand scheme of things, that is hardly a deal breaker.
