The Band
The Rolling Stones are an English rock band formed in 1962. The rock & roll legends have been active for over six decades; they are one of the most popular, influential, and enduring bands ever.
Band Members
- Mick Jagger – vocals, harmonica, percussion, rhythm guitar, keyboards
- Keith Richards – rhythm and lead guitars, bass guitar, keyboards
- Ronnie Wood – lead and rhythm guitars, slide guitar, pedal steel guitar, bass guitar
The Album
The Rolling Stones released Foreign Tongues, their studio album number 25, on July 10, 2026. Here, they feature musical contributions from Steve Jordan, Darryl Jones, Steve Winwood, Robert Smith (The Cure), Paul McCartney, Bruno Mars, and Chad Smith, among others.
The Songs
1. Rough and Twisted. The first song starts with a very bluesy vibe, but heavy blues. Mick’s harmonica solo. Piano, saxophone. A really cool vibe, great bluesy tune.
2. In the Stars. It starts as a ballad and then changes with a classic Stones guitar riff; you immediately recognize it’s them.
The verses are good, and I love the guitar riff, as well as the guitar solo.
3. Jealous Lover. It has an R&B feel, and the way Mick sings the verses reminds me of one of their old songs, Slave.
4. Mr Charm. Upbeat song, female vocals in the chorus, nice mood, good solo, soul rock.
5. Divine Intervention. I found this song to be pop.
6. Ringing Hollow. A ballad, pretty, sweet, slow, smooth, that relaxes you. Steve Winwood plays the organ here, and on most of this album.
7. Never Wanna Lose You. This is sick, all the power of the Stones. Bruno Mars plays the cowbell, Steve Winwood plays piano, and Robert Smith adds vocals and synthesizer. I like the bass lines and the riffs.
One of my favorites.
8. Hit Me in the Head. This is also really powerful, very Stones sound, excellent guitar solo, very rock ‘n’ roll, catchy chorus. My favorite on the album. Great harmonica part played by Mick, and one of the last drum parts recorded by Charlie Watts.
9. You Know I’m No Good. It’s an Amy Winehouse cover. Interesting take on a famous song, nicely done, emotional.
10. Some of Us. It’s a ballad sung by Keith Richards. I don’t love the songs where he sings; to me, it’s similar to Bob Dylan; they’re amazing musicians, composers, legends, but I don’t like their voices.
11. Covered in You. More rock-oriented, cool. The best part is the mini harmonica solo played by Mick.
Paul McCartney plays bass here.
12. Side Effects. It has a chilled vibe.
13. Back in Your Life. Ballad, pretty, guitar solos, mellow yet ends in a really grand way, with a lot of substance.
14. Beautiful Delilah. The last song is a Chuck Berry cover. Amazing, old blues vibe that maintains the original essence.
A fascinating way to end the album.
Final Thoughts
A new album from the longest-running rock band. Foreign Tongues has several ballads, not bad, but they’re not my favorites. My dearest Stones songs are the rockers, with their signature riffs. For me, those songs are sublime, and nobody rocks like them. When I hear them, they immediately thrill me.
The album ends with Bad Luck Hideaway, which is a bonus track, but it’s not on the version I have, so I couldn’t listen to it.
For me, it’s crazy that they’re still playing at this age (80), and that they always come up with brilliant ideas. Even though I don’t always like every song, for me, they’re the best rock band of all time, and I wish them many more years of touring and album releases.
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Album mentioned in this review:
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Tracklist
- Rough and Twisted
- In the Stars
- Jealous Lover
- Mr Charm
- Divine Intervention
- Ringing Hollow
- Never Wanna Lose You
- Hit Me in the Head
- You Know I’m No Good
- Some of Us
- Covered in You
- Side Effects
- Back in Your Life
- Beautiful Delilah