Full Breakdown
Rolling Stones Unveil Title and Artwork for Upcoming Album “Foreign Tongues”
5/3/2026, 1:41:04 PM
Album Title and Cover Reveal
On May 3 2026 the three surviving members of the classic lineup—Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood—posted one-third of a composite image each on Instagram. All three fragments display the band’s name and the words Foreign Tongues, confirming the long-rumoured title. The design consists of slivers of caricature-style likenesses that, when combined, form a full cover, a visual approach echoing the surrealist “Exquisite Corpse” game.
Background: Recent Releases and Lineup Changes
“Foreign Tongues” follows the 2023 studio album Hackney Diamonds, the first release after the 2021 death of longtime drummer Charlie Watts. The new record is produced by Andrew Watt, who has recently worked with artists such as Ozzy Osbourne, Elton John and Paul McCartney. In promotional remarks Jagger noted the band is “almost three-quarters through the next one,” while Richards highlighted the addition of drummer Steve Jordan as a fresh mark for the group.
Promotional Campaign and Limited Single
The album’s rollout began in early April with a series of posters for a fictitious act called The Cockroaches, a name previously used for secret Stones performances. The posters featured QR codes linking to thecockroaches.com, where a calendar frozen on April 11 and a neon version of the iconic lips-and-tongue logo were displayed. On April 11, an ultra-limited 12-inch white-vinyl single titled “Rough and Twisted” was sold exclusively in record stores worldwide. A subsequent post on April 14 from the band’s official channels confirmed the track as a Stones recording, described by observers as “the Stones in finest dirty-blues form.”
Timeline of Key Developments
- April 25 2026 – Outdoor ads worldwide show the lips-and-tongue logo with “Foreign Tongues” in multiple languages.
- April 11 2026 – Release of limited “Rough and Twisted” single.
- April 14 2026 – Official confirmation that the single is a Stones track.
- May 3 2026 – Instagram reveal of album title and cover fragments.
- May 5 2026 – Mick Jagger scheduled to appear on *The Tonight Show* (Jimmy Fallon).
- July 10 2026 – English media report a tentative release date (unconfirmed).
- July 21 2024 – Last live performance to date, concluding the Hackney Diamonds North American tour.
Data & Statistics
- “Foreign Tongues” will be the 25th Rolling Stones studio album (excluding compilations and early US reissues).
- The band reportedly has at least 10 songs recorded for the album, and is “almost three-quarters through” the project.
- The “Rough and Twisted” single was limited to a 12-inch white vinyl run, unavailable online.
Official Statements & Responses
Mick Jagger told the *New York Times* that the group is “almost three-quarters through the next one.” Keith Richards added that after Charlie Watts’s departure the band needed “to make a new mark with [new drummer] Steve Jordan.” The band’s website currently lists a tab prompting fans to “check back for all the latest tour dates,” suggesting plans for future live shows.
Criticism & Opposition
No dissenting commentary or criticism appears in the available sources.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Release date: English outlets cite July 10 2026, yet no official announcement confirms this.
- Tour plans: The website hints at upcoming dates, but a December 2026 source reports that a previously unannounced 2026 tour was cancelled, and 2025 dates were abandoned.
- Song count: Jagger’s “three-quarters through” comment and the Times report of “at least 10 songs” provide overlapping but not identical metrics.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We've got almost three-quarters through the next one,” — Mick Jagger, interview with the *New York Times*
- “With Charlie leaving us, I think we needed to make a new mark with [new drummer] Steve [Jordan]” — Keith Richards, interview
What’s Next
The band’s next steps include a potential release in July 2026, pending confirmation, and a promotional appearance by Jagger on *The Tonight Show* on May 5. Monitoring the official website for updated tour information will clarify whether the hinted-at live dates materialize.
