Still Rolling: A Review of The Rolling Stones’ Foreign Tongues

11 July 2026 Neil@RockNews

Still Rolling: A Review of The Rolling Stones Foreign Tongues

It is a rare phenomenon in the annals of music history to witness a band navigate six decades of cultural shifts, personal tragedies, and the relentless march of time while still managing to sound vital. Yet, here we are in July 2026, and The Rolling Stones have delivered their twenty-fifth studio album, Foreign Tongues. Following the triumphant, Grammy-winning resurgence of 2023’s Hackney Diamonds, many wondered if that project was a final, graceful bow. Instead, Foreign Tongues arrives as a defiant, snarling, and occasionally reflective continuation of a career that seemingly refuses to acknowledge the concept of an endgame.

The Production: A Month of “Concentrated Punch”

Produced once again by the revitalised Andrew Watt, Foreign Tongues is a study in efficiency and focus. Where many veteran acts spend years labouring over digital edits and polished perfection, the Stones opted for a “month of concentrated punch” at Metropolis Studios in West London. The directive was simple: capture the room, capture the chemistry, and don’t overthink it.

The resulting record feels less like a legacy project and more like a band rejuvenated by the same creative spirit that fuelled their golden era. By reuniting with Watt, the band has managed to bridge the gap between their heritage—the raw, blues-drenched grit of their early days—and a crisp, modern sonic landscape. This is not a polished, sterile production; it is an organic, breathing collection of songs that feel recorded in the moment. The album also carries deep emotional resonance through the inclusion of a track featuring the late, great Charlie Watts, whose rhythmic heartbeat remains the bedrock of the band’s identity.

The visual component of the album is equally striking. The cover art is a haunting, Picasso-esque portrait by the acclaimed American artist Nathaniel Mary Quinn, masterfully collaging the features of Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, and Ronnie Wood. It serves as a visual metaphor for the record itself: fragmented, multifaceted, and deeply rooted in the history of the faces we know so well.

Rolling Stones Foreign Tongues -Track Listing and Formats

The standard edition of Foreign Tongues features 14 tracks, with various physical and digital formats offering exclusive content. The album is available on high-fidelity vinyl, CD, and across all major streaming platforms in immersive Dolby Atmos.

Standard Track Listing:

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 (Amy Winehouse cover)
Some of Us
Covered in You
Side Effects
Back in Your Life
Beautiful Delilah (Chuck Berry cover)

Note: Digital editions, including those on the iTunes Store, feature the bonus track “Bad Luck Hideaway.”

Rolling Stones Foreign Tongues – Track-by-Track Analysis

“Rough and Twisted”: An immediate, high-octane opener that feels like a spiritual successor to their classic blues-rock stompers. It serves as a reminder that Jagger’s charisma and Richards’ riff-craft are still lethal.

“In the Stars”: An infectious, mid-tempo track that highlights the band’s ability to craft a modern pop-rock hook without losing their signature swagger. It captures a sense of optimism that feels genuinely earned.

“Jealous Lover”: A soulful, slightly sultry number that showcases the band’s interplay with modern production textures, highlighted by a standout performance from the core trio.

“Mr. Charm”: A classic Stones-ian character study. It finds Jagger in familiar territory, observing the world with a wry, knowing smile, backed by a rhythm section that remains tighter than ever.

“Divine Intervention”: A bluesy exploration that feels like it could have been plucked from an Exile on Main St. outtake session, yet it carries the weight of a band that has seen it all.

“Ringing Hollow”: Perhaps the album’s most poignant moment, this track has been described as a “love letter to America” that doubles as a melancholic observation of a changing world. It is the record’s emotional anchor.

“Never Wanna Lose You”: A standout track defined by its relentless groove. It is, quite simply, quintessential rock and roll—built to be played at maximum volume.

“Hit Me in the Head”: Notable for the inclusion of the late Charlie Watts, this high-octane track is a testament to the band’s enduring chemistry. It hits with the precision and power that only Watts could provide.

“You Know I’m No Good”: An audacious, surprising cover of the Amy Winehouse classic. The Stones approach it with respect, imbuing it with their own unique blend of blues and grit.

“Some of Us” & “Covered in You”: These tracks lean into the band’s country-rock influences, offering a more melodic, slightly more contemplative pace that balances the earlier aggression of the album.

“Side Effects”: A tighter, modern production that keeps the momentum of the album’s second half building.

“Back in Your Life”: A sprawling, 6-minute epic that serves as a late-album masterpiece, showcasing the band’s ability to weave complex arrangements into their core sound.

“Beautiful Delilah”: Closing the album with a tip of the hat to Chuck Berry, the band sounds like they are having the time of their lives. It is a joyous, raucous end to a record that feels like a celebration.

Rock News – Rolling Stones Foreign Tongues Verdict

Foreign Tongues is, quite simply, a triumph. It stands as a vibrant, occasionally profound addition to a discography that already feels untouchable. By avoiding the pitfalls of nostalgia and leaning into their enduring chemistry, the Rolling Stones have managed to deliver an album that feels alive, urgent, and vital.

The artwork by Nathaniel Mary Quinn provides a fittingly complex facade for a record that balances the weight of history with the hunger of a band that still has something to say. While it may not rewrite the book on rock and roll, it adds a compelling new chapter to the Stones’ legend. This is a band that, even in their ninth decade, continues to defy expectations, finding new ways to make the familiar sound fresh. In an era where legacy acts often fade into the background, the Rolling Stones are still very much leading the charge.