The Rolling Stones' unstoppable juggernaut rolls on, with Mick Jagger's boundless energy and creative drive powering their 25th studio album, 'Foreign Tongues', into the record books. Set for release on July 10, this long-awaited follow-up to last year's 'Hackney Diamonds' is shaping up to be a triumph, thanks in no small part to Jagger's relentless output.
Keith Richards spilled the beans to The Guardian, crediting Jagger's recent prolificacy as the key to their rapid album completion: "Mick's been very prolific lately, which is one reason this album has come out so quick, because he won't bloody stop!" The momentum from 'Hackney Diamonds' played a significant part, allowing the band to keep pushing the boundaries of their art. As Richards put it, they've maintained a shared understanding to "keep pushing" – and the results are anything but stagnant.
'Foreign Tongues' boasts an impressive list of guest collaborators, including Paul McCartney, Robert Smith (of The Cure), Steve Winwood, and even late drummer Charlie Watts in a poignant nod to their enduring legacy. Notably, the album features tracks like 'Rough And Twisted', 'In The Stars', and a cover of Amy Winehouse's timeless classic 'You Know I'm No Good'.
Richards also hailed producer Andrew Watt as "a breath of fresh air and a kick up the arse", praising his no-nonsense approach to getting things done. Watt's involvement seems to have injected a renewed energy into the band's recording process, setting them up for a triumphant return.
The Rolling Stones are also set to unleash 'Speaking In Tongues', a new six-episode podcast narrated by Norah Jones. This in-depth series will take listeners behind the scenes of their studio techniques, creative influences, and songwriting process. Expect exclusive interviews with Jagger, Richards, Ronnie Wood, Andrew Watt, Robert Smith, Steve Winwood, and cover artist Nathaniel Mary Quinn.
But that's not all – The Rolling Stones have teamed up with Marvel for a limited edition vinyl collector series featuring artwork of iconic superheroes like Spider-Man and Captain America. And while specific UK streaming details for the podcast are still to be confirmed, it's set to drop on major platforms soon.