The Rolling Stones today announce the release of their highly anticipated new studio album 'Foreign Tongues', arriving 10th July from Polydor/Universal Music.
The incredibly vibrant 14-track collection follows less than three years after the band’s universally acclaimed, Grammy Award-winning Hackney Diamonds, which topped charts worldwide and achieved multi-platinum success.
The new album will be introduced by the upbeat and infectious lead single ‘In the Stars’, released digitally on 5th May alongside the album’s opening track ‘Rough and Twisted.’ In The Stars receives a physical release on 15th May. Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood are set to attend a media launch for Foreign Tongues later today in Brooklyn, New York.
In the lead-up to the announcement, the band have been subtly building anticipation for the new project, including the limited white label release of the track ‘Rough and Twisted’ only on vinyl under the name The Cockroaches.
Circulating among fans and collectors, the release has already sparked excitement and speculation around the sound and direction of Foreign Tongues, offering an early glimpse into the album’s raw and exploratory energy.
Titled ‘Foreign Tongues’, the record is set for release on July 10, with the band simultaneously unveiling its lead single, ‘In The Stars’, which is available now.
The new project signals a fresh chapter for the legendary group, while staying true to the sound that has defined them for decades.
According to the band, the album captures the “sound you know and love - rooted in blues, country, rock and classic Stones songwriting,” pointing to a return to their musical foundations while continuing to evolve.
Recorded during an exceptionally creative period, Foreign Tongues was brought to life in under a month at Metropolis Studios in West London, with Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood reuniting with Grammy-winning producer Andrew Watt, who also helmed Hackney Diamonds. The result is a dynamic and forward-looking record that captures the band’s unmistakable sound while pushing into new sonic and lyrical territory, further cementing their unparalleled legacy.
Notably, the album will also include a special appearance from late drummer Charlie Watts, captured during one of his final recording sessions before his death in 2021. His inclusion is expected to add an emotional layer to the release, given his long-standing role within the band and influence on their signature sound.
In addition to the core line-up, ‘Foreign Tongues’ boasts an extensive list of high-profile guest contributors. These include Steve Winwood, Paul McCartney, Robert Smith and Chad Smith, underlining the scale and ambition of the project.
The announcement has generated significant excitement among fans, with the band continuing to prove their staying power decades into their career.
Reflecting on the recording process, Mick Jagger said: “I love doing these recording sessions in London at Metropolis. It was a very intense few weeks recording Foreign Tongues. We had 14 great tracks and we went as fast as we could. I like the room there as it’s not too big so you can feel the passion in the room from everyone.”
Keith Richards added: “The Foreign Tongues album has a continuity from Hackney Diamonds and it was great to be working in London again, and to have that London vibe around us. It was a month of concentrated punch. To me, it's all about the enjoyment of it. I'm blessed to be able to do this and long may it last.”
Ronnie Wood commented: “The atmosphere in the room was so creative, and the whole band was on top form throughout the whole process. Very often we nailed it on the first take. I hope everyone loves it.”
The album’s striking cover artwork is a painting created by acclaimed American artist Nathaniel Mary Quinn who commented: “Creating the album cover for the Rolling Stones is an artistic honour - a dialogue with one of the most enduring forces in cultural history.”
As one of the most influential groups in rock history, any new material from The Rolling Stones is met with major anticipation, and ‘Foreign Tongues’ appears set to be no exception.
With ‘In The Stars’ offering the first taste of what’s to come, attention will now turn to the full album release in July, as the band once again steps back into the spotlight.
