Keith Richards, Jagger, Wood launch Rolling Stones’ new album in New York

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• 🔥 Quick Facts
• A New Sound for 64-Year-Old Icons Still at the Top of Their Game
• Legendary Collaborators Bring Star Power to Every Track
• What to Expect: Country, Blues, Punk, and Everything in Between
• The Late Charlie Watts Lives On Through Music
• Is This the Rolling Stones’ Final Chapter, or Just Another Beginning?
  • Sources

Keith Richards, Mick Jagger, and Ronnie Wood just unveiled the Rolling Stones’ hotly anticipated 25th studio album at a star-studded Brooklyn bash. The 14-track collection called “Foreign Tongues” arrives July 10, packed with legendary guest appearances that had the crowd buzzing. Here’s what we learned about this musical event.

A New Sound for 64-Year-Old Icons Still at the Top of Their Game

The Rolling Stones marked their 64th anniversary with a message of creative evolution. Mick Jagger explained that the band spans multiple genres, refusing to get stuck in one style. “We’re a rock band that also does ballads, country, dance music,” he said at the Brooklyn launch. This album proved they meant business about staying fresh and unpredictable.

The energy was palpable throughout the afternoon event at The Weylin, a converted historic bank building in Williamsburg. Jagger, 82, Richards, 82, and Wood, 78, appeared spry and engaged, trading jokes with O’Brien and discussing their creative process. It wasn’t just nostalgia, it was a band genuinely excited about new material they believed in.

Legendary Collaborators Bring Star Power to Every Track

Producer Andrew Watt, who also helmed the successful “Hackney Diamonds” project, united the Stones with an all-star lineup. Paul McCartney contributes to the album, though interestingly, Watt couldn’t quite get the two legends in the same room to write together. “I was trying to get Paul and Mick to write something, but we never actually did,” Jagger revealed with good humor.

Robert Smith of The Cure features on the record, and fans are especially curious how this collaboration turned out. Steve Winwood and Chad Smith of Red Hot Chili Peppers also appear, lending their distinctive sounds to different tracks. These aren’t cameos, the band emphasized, but substantive creative contributions that elevate the entire project.

What to Expect: Country, Blues, Punk, and Everything in Between

Track Spotlight	Details
“In the Stars” (Lead Single)	Released May 5, physical distribution May 15
“Rough and Twisted” (Opening Track)	Called a “raucous, frayed blues belter,” echoes “Exile on Main St”
“Ringing Hollow”	Country tune inspired by Hank Williams love affair
“Beautiful Delilah”	Delta blues foundation, classic Stones swagger
“Hit Me in the Head”	Real punk rocker, features parts recorded by late drummer Charlie Watts

“It kicks ass. There’s a vibrancy, an urgency to it. It’s reminiscent of ‘Exile on Main St,’ and I’ve listened to it 25 times since receiving it.”

— Conan O’Brien, Host and Album Listener

The Late Charlie Watts Lives On Through Music

The album includes final recordings from drummer Charlie Watts, who passed away in 2021 after decades anchoring the Stones’ legendary rhythm section. “Hit Me in the Head” features parts recorded before his death, creating an emotional connection between past and present. Watts had contributed to “Hackney Diamonds” as well, ensuring his legacy remains woven into the band’s contemporary work.

New drummer Steve Jordan now holds the post, alongside bassist Darryl Jones, forming the modern rhythm section. Jagger said simply, “Charlie handed the baton to Steve,” a fitting tribute to the bond between them. The absence was felt, but the music ensured his presence resonated throughout the new collection’s entire 14-track run.

Is This the Rolling Stones’ Final Chapter, or Just Another Beginning?

Despite cancelled 2026 touring plans, the band shows no signs of slowing down creatively. According to reporting from The Times, the band stockpiled at least 10 more unused songs from recent sessions, suggesting album number 26 could already be in early development. Jagger mentioned he “absolutely would love to tour” the album, leaving the door wide open for future live dates.

The real question isn’t whether the Stones are finished, but rather what they’ll sound like exploring even more territory. At 64 years into their career, they’ve proven that age is no barrier to creating vital, engaging rock music. With “Foreign Tongues” arriving in just two months, fans finally get to experience the results of these legendary sessions firsthand.

Sources

• The Guardian – Coverage of the May 5 Brooklyn launch event with Conan O’Brien interview
• Reuters – Details on album specifications, guest artists, and the band’s creative process
• Rolling Stone – Information about track listing and producer Andrew Watt’s involvement