Rolling Stones Preview New Album Foreign Tongues at New York Event

Mick Jagger described the 14-song album as spanning genres including rock, ballads, country, dance, and punk. He highlighted tracks like Ringing Hollow, inspired by Hank Williams, and Hit Me in the Head, which includes parts recorded by Charlie Watts before his 2021 death.

Keith Richards emphasized the role of producer Andrew Watt in maintaining momentum during recording.

The band recorded Foreign Tongues in about a month, which Jagger said added urgency and focus to the process. They collaborated with Andrew Watt again, following his work on Hackney Diamonds, and featured guests such as Steve Winwood, Paul McCartney, The Cure’s Robert Smith, and Chad Smith of Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Ronnie Wood compared his guitar interplay with Richards to an ancient form of weaving. >"The thing about this record is – the Stones are a rock band that also has the capacity to do ballads, country music or dance music. " — Mick Jagger (The Guardian) Richards noted that riffs come naturally and cannot be forced, while Jagger joked about maintaining his voice through practice dating back to 1968.

The cover art, a painting by Nathaniel Mary Quinn, depicts an amalgamation of the band, which Jagger nicknamed Mr Ugly. Quinn’s work drew applause for not being computer-generated.

The event highlighted the band’s creative resurgence since becoming a three-piece after Watts’ death. Hackney Diamonds received praise for its sense of purpose, with The Guardian’s Alexis Petridis calling it a return to form. The new album builds on that energy, with O’Brien comparing it to the 1972 classic Exile on Main St for its vibrancy.

’" — Keith Richards, referring to new drummer Steve Jordan (The Guardian) Band members reflected on keeping their music fresh after more than 60 years. Richards stated they avoid resting on past achievements and continue to explore new elements. Wood mentioned Watts passing the baton to Steve Jordan, underscoring the group’s adaptation.

Attendees included Leonardo DiCaprio, Baz Luhrmann, and Odessa A’zion, who laughed at O’Brien’s jokes about the band’s enduring appeal. Jagger played along with quips about his striped blazer resembling Willy Wonka’s estate. The band appeared in good spirits, emphasizing fun and concentration in the studio.

The album draws from influences like delta blues in Beautiful Delilah and punk in Hit Me in the Head. Jagger and Richards cited their lifelong love of Hank Williams as inspiration for the country tune Ringing Hollow. Production involved Watt acting as a referee to resolve creative stalls.

O’Brien, after listening to the album 25 times, described it as kicking ass with urgency reminiscent of the band’s earlier work. The rapid recording timeline contributed to this, as Jagger explained the need to make each song’s five minutes count. Richards added that Watt provided necessary motivation.

The band’s history spans seven decades, with over 250 million albums sold worldwide. Foreign Tongues represents their ongoing evolution, incorporating diverse styles and guest artists. The New York event served as a launchpad, generating buzz ahead of the July 10 release.