The Rolling Stones, two giants aging into rock legends, have delivered their 25th studio album, Foreign Tongues, and it’s a potent reminder that even after decades of iconic mayhem, the band still knows how to deliver some seriously damn good music.
While many might point to classic albums like Goats Head Soup from 1973 or Some Girls (1978) as peak periods, the Stones continue to craft timeless classics. Whether fans cite Tattoo You (1981) as their final masterpiece, it’s clear that this group remains a living archive of rock and roll history.
On Foreign Tongues, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards—both 82 years old—prove they are far from slowing down. The album acts as a fantastic sampler of everything the Stones excel at: ripping rock anthems about debauchery like “Hit Me in the Head,” country-styled weepers such as “Ringing Hollow,” and deep cuts like “Some of Us.” It’s a collection that perfectly captures their rebellious spirit, sometimes laced with clever covers, including an inspired take on Amy Winehouse’s “You Know I’m No Good.”
While some tracks, like the lead single “In the Stars,” show a slick production handled by Andrew Watt, the album offers genuine grit. Dig deeper into tracks like “Rough and Twisted” to find where the band truly shines—in scuzzy blues with the shellac stripped away.
The lyrical themes on the record reflect the timeless nature of rebellion. Jagger dives into a critique of the modern world, singing about being tired of autocrats and observing global chaos. On “Covered in You,” he paints a vivid picture, lamenting how those in power seem to be breeding like “a swarm of dirty rats with their missiles on parade.” Even while name-checking figures like Elon Musk on tracks such as “Mr. Charm,” the message remains fiercely Stones.
This album also features a wonderful acknowledgment of the band’s history, giving due credit to deceased members. Drummer Charlie Watts is included in the mix, with his drums added from one of his final recording sessions in 2019 for “Hit Me in the Head.” Furthermore, guest stars ranging from Paul McCartney to Robert Smith add tasteful accompaniment without overshadowing the core sound.
Ultimately, Foreign Tongues feels like an appropriate epilogue. The album closes by offering a stripped-back cover of Chuck Berry’s “Beautiful Delilah,” a nod to their deep roots and reminding us that rock and roll is truly a young person’s game, regardless of the age of the artists.
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Credit: Spin
