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Rolling Stones Unveil “Foreign Tongues” with McCartney, Mars

7/14/2026

Summary

Rolling Stones Release

The Rolling Stones released their 25th studio album, Foreign Tongues, on July 10, 2026.
The record features guest performances by Robert Smith, Paul McCartney, Bruno Mars and Chad Smith.
Mick Jagger said the collaboration with Paul McCartney on “Covered in You” was finished in about ten minutes.
Jagger added that the band hopes to resume live shows next year if Keith Richards is available.

Summary

Rolling Stones Record

The Rolling Stones recorded “Foreign Tongues” in under a month at London’s Metropolis Studios, calling the sessions intense.
The album features a posthumous drum track by Charlie Watts on “Hit Me In The Head,” taken from his final 2021 sessions.
Darryl Jones (bass), Matt Clifford (keyboards) and Steve Jordan (drums) also perform on the record.
Steve Winwood, Robert Smith and Chad Smith appear as guests, highlighting cross-generational collaboration.

Summary

Rolling Stones Fuse

The album fuses R&B with the Stones’ classic rock, echoing their 1960s-70s peak.
Steve Jordan drums on every song, his first role since Charlie Watts’ death.
Steve Winwood provides keyboards on most tracks, adding vintage texture.
Covers of Amy Winehouse’s “You Know I’m No Good” and Chuck Berry’s “Beautiful Delilah” honor classic influences.
Robert Smith adds guitar on “Divine Intervention” while Chad Smith provides a bass drum on closing track.

Summary

Rolling Stones Review

Critics gave Foreign Tongues four out of five delilahs, noting its classic-rock sound.
Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood, 79-82, deliver blues grit.
Mick Jagger’s verses on “Rough and Twisted” and “Mr. Charm” use metaphors that echo his mythos.
Keith Richards fashioned the opening riff to mirror the 1981 “Start Me Up” hook, while cover of Amy Winehouse’s “You Know I’m No Good” becomes a louder, angrier anthem.

History

Historical Context

In December 1969 the Rolling Stones released Let It Bleed, which hit number 1 on the UK Albums Chart and earned a double-platinum RIAA certification, while guest vocalist Merry Clayton’s performance on “Gimme Shelter” highlighted the band’s tradition of collaborations. The 2026 album Foreign Tongues continues that pattern, featuring Paul McCartney, Robert Smith, Steve Winwood and Chad Smith, echoing the Stones’ 1960s practice of blending guests to refresh their sound.

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Rolling Stones Release

The Rolling Stones released their 25th studio album, Foreign Tongues, on July 10, 2026.
The record features guest performances by Robert Smith, Paul McCartney, Bruno Mars and Chad Smith.
Mick Jagger said the collaboration with Paul McCartney on “Covered in You” was finished in about ten minutes.
Jagger added that the band hopes to resume live shows next year if Keith Richards is available.

1 / 5