The Rolling Stones have sparked excitement among fans by teasing the title of their upcoming album through an international billboard campaign. The new record is widely expected to be called Foreign Tongues, following a series of cryptic clues.
Global Billboard Campaign
The band's official Instagram account shared images of billboards displayed in cities such as Sydney, Australia, and Paris, France. Each billboard features the iconic Rolling Stones logo alongside the same phrase written in various languages, strongly suggesting the album title.
This campaign follows guitarist Ronnie Wood's revelation in September last year that new music was on the horizon. He told the press that fans would be "getting a new album" in 2026. Prior to the billboards, an enigmatic campaign by the band's alter egos, The Cockroaches, had already stirred speculation.
Previous Album and Critical Acclaim
It has been over two years since the release of their last album, Hackney Diamonds, which many critics hailed as the band's best work in decades. In his review for The Independent, Mark Beaumont praised the album, noting that "Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood rip through gritty glam and blues rock riffs like guitarists half of half their ages, and rather than mutter reflective wisdom gleaned from a rock'n'roll life mid-winddown – a la Bruce Springsteen or Bob Dylan – Jagger bawls and yowls about blurry nights, media intrusion and relationship ructions like an eternal A-list twentysomething."
The chart-topping album was produced by Andrew Watt, who has collaborated with artists such as Elton John, Pearl Jam, and Ozzy Osbourne.
Recent Activity and Solo Shows
Last summer, the Stones were reportedly working on new music at Metropolis Studios in West London. Earlier this week, Ronnie Wood announced a rare solo show in London this August, marking his first full live solo sets in over 16 years. The intimate performance at the O2 Kentish Town Forum on 21 August will see the 78-year-old guitarist joined by close friend and singer-songwriter Imelda May.
The announcement followed high demand for Wood's solo appearances, prompting him to add an extra date in Amsterdam. He has now confirmed two new shows: the London gig and a performance at Cologne's E-Werk on 3 September. Expressing his excitement, Wood declared: "I'm looking forward to kickin' ass with my back catalog and some new songs – look out London!!"
Wood's Legacy
Before his storied tenure with The Rolling Stones, Wood was a pivotal member of Faces, the rock band responsible for hits like "Stay With Me", alongside Rod Stewart. The pair recently reunited on stage last year when Wood joined Sir Rod during his Glastonbury set. Wood's enduring legacy has been recognized with two inductions into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame – first with The Rolling Stones in 1989, and again with Faces in 2012.
