The Rolling Stones have unveiled their forthcoming 25th album, Foreign Tongues, at a private event in New York attended by celebrities including Leonardo DiCaprio, Baz Luhrmann and Odessa A'zion. Hosted by Conan O'Brien, the gathering offered a preview of the album, which follows their acclaimed 2023 release Hackney Diamonds.
Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood discussed the album's 14 tracks, which span rock, ballads, country and dance music. Jagger described new song Ringing Hollow as a 'country tune' inspired by Hank Williams, while Beautiful Delilah draws from delta blues. Hit Me in the Head, a 'punk rocker', features parts recorded by late drummer Charlie Watts before his death in 2021.
The album was produced by Andrew Watt, who also worked on Hackney Diamonds, and includes guest appearances from Steve Winwood, Paul McCartney, Robert Smith of the Cure and Chad Smith of Red Hot Chili Peppers. Jagger noted that the record was completed in just four weeks, giving it 'urgency'.
O'Brien praised the album as 'kicking ass' and reminiscent of the band's 1972 classic Exile on Main St, saying he had listened to it 25 times. The cover art, a painting by Nathaniel Mary Quinn, was described by Jagger as 'Mr Ugly' but confirmed as not computer-generated.
The band reflected on Watts' legacy, with Wood saying he 'handed the baton' to new drummer Steve Jordan. Richards added: 'When Charlie hit the bucket, he said: “Steve’s your man.”' Despite their six-decade career, Richards emphasised the importance of staying fresh: 'You don’t just want to sit on what you’ve done before.'
