The Rolling Stones – ‘Foreign Tongues’: Euronews Culture’s review and verdict

The Rolling Stones Defy Age with 'Foreign Tongues'

A Vintage Band's Bold New Direction

The Rolling Stones - The season of reminiscence persists, or perhaps it is evolving. After Paul McCartney's tender reflection on his youth through "The Boys of Dungeon Lane" and Madonna's return to dance music two decades later with "Confessions II," yet another classic act emerges from retirement. However, rather than gazing backward, the Rolling Stones have crafted their latest release, "Foreign Tongues," to feel urgent and progressive—far removed from a nostalgic journey. This achievement becomes even more remarkable considering the band members are now in their eighties, with Ronnie Wood serving as the youngest at seventy-nine years old.

It would have been entirely reasonable for the group to utilize their twenty-fifth studio effort as an opportunity to review their seventy-year journey, assess their accomplishments, and contemplate their enduring influence. Instead, "Foreign Tongues" declares a different philosophy entirely: why look back when you can deliver powerful melodies that would make anyone half a century younger feel envious? While this energetic approach is impressive, an even greater marvel is how Mick Jagger has maintained his voice against the ravages of time. At nearly eighty-three, the lead singer retains all his characteristic confidence and those distinctive vocal cries. The secret remains unknown, yet after experiencing "Foreign Tongues," one might reasonably believe he and his companions will outlast everyone else.

Track-by-Track Highlights and Musical Evolution

Opening with the dual impact of "Rough And Twisted" and "In The Stars," the ensemble immediately demonstrates that this successor to 2023's "Hackney Diamonds" offers greater depth, more spirited energy, and significantly stronger memorability compared to their initial collection of new songs since 2005. While "Hackney Diamonds" certainly represented a creative revival, repeated listening reveals certain tracks feeling somewhat subdued in comparison. Here, Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood's guitar work dominates, blues-inflected passages resonate more powerfully, melodies expand in scope, and the collective enthusiasm appears genuinely renewed.

The resulting compilation presents a cohesive assortment of rock classics like "Divine Intervention," funk-influenced pop numbers such as "Never Wanna Lose You," arena-filling anthems including "Hit Me in the Head," and an intimate solo moment for Richards titled "Some Of Us." The musicians occasionally demonstrate aggression beyond mere musical expression. They direct criticism at "mad mogul Mr. Musk" within "Mr. Charm" and express frustration regarding political leaders who "seem to be breeding like a swarm of dirty rats with their missiles on parade" according to "Covered In You." Additionally, the seasoned performers contribute an exceptional honky-tonk farewell composition called "Ringing Hollow," where Jagger explores losing affection for America.

"Well I was madly in love with you before we ever met / Watched all your movies, smoked your cigarettes..." the lyrics begin, subsequently observing that "there's always a scoundrel trying to whip up the crowd." The narrative continues with "Lady Liberty don't look so good when there's a tear in her gown." Though no specific individual receives identification, the intended target remains obvious to listeners.

Guest Appearances and Critical Assessment

The highly anticipated collaborations on this record present a mixed reception. Paul McCartney contributes bass work on "Covered in You," Bruno Mars adds cowbell percussion to "Never Wanna Lose You," and The Cure's Robert Smith provides both guitar and backing vocals across "Divine Intervention" and "Never Wanna Lose You." While these contributions enhance the tracks, they do not feel indispensable to the overall experience. A similar observation applies to the two cover selections included. The Stones' interpretations of Amy Winehouse's "You Know I'm No Good" and Chuck Berry's "Beautiful Delilah" certainly avoid being failures; nevertheless, listeners may experience the persistent notion that removing these tracks would not diminish the album's quality.

Despite these minor imperfections, the record demonstrates remarkable consistency, dynamism, and refinement throughout. Returning producer Andrew Watt, now thirty-five years of age, deserves recognition for maintaining this polished sound. The sole significant misstep appears to be the overly sentimental "Jealous Lover," which attempts unsuccessfully to replicate the spirit of "Emotional Rescue." Fortunately, this weakness becomes less noticeable when considering Jagger's most compelling vocal work in recent years on "Back In Your Life" alongside the exceptional "In The Stars." This latter piece represents the band's most irresistibly appealing composition since 1994's "You Got Me Rocking."

"Do you wanna dance until the roof caves in? / Yeah, and the guitars scream and the choir still sings," Jagger enthusiastically proclaims. The instruments continue their passionate expression, the vocal harmonies persist, and remarkably, the Stones maintain their ability to inspire audiences to literally break through ceilings. "Foreign Tongues" surpasses 2023's "Hackney Diamonds" while simultaneously serving as compelling evidence that chronological age and accumulated experience matter less than raw ambition when evaluating Jagger, Richards, and Wood. It is ultimately the desire that sustains them.