The band’s 25th studio album is surprising in the way in which it uses a range of tones and styles to keep listeners completely invested from start to finish.
It is hard to believe that Foreign Tongues is 25th album from The Rolling Stones – particularly when you listen to how modern and fresh sounding that their music is on the album.
Whether it is the vivacious and bold sounding album opener ‘Rough and Twisted’ or the heart wrenching, sentimental track ‘Back in Your Life’, this is a record that offers plenty of diverse sounds and tones as well as showcasing just how much music this band is able to create.
Following on from 2023’s Hackney Diamonds, Foreign Tongues showcases The Rolling Stones as a band that still has plenty to offer fans and those trying to discover their work for the first time (of which I include myself in). It is clear from start to finish that they have enjoyed putting this album together and this in turn allows those tuning into appreciate and enjoy what they are listening to.
This is particularly evident on songs such as ‘Mr Charm’ with its vibrant charm that reflects the character at the centre of the song – aware of his own nature while luring the listener in completely. It is a real highlight track on the album.
Elsewhere, ‘Divine Intervention’ is another standout track that while it confronts issues such as politics and staring down apocalypse has such a strong contrast of tones that is impossible to resist. It combines darkness with hope exquisitely well.
Perhaps on occasion it can be said that the album gets a little bit carried way, particularly towards the end of the album with ‘Side Effects’ feeling just slightly repetitive and ‘Covered in You’ that just feels lacking in direction.
Yet there is no denying that is still surprising that this is the 25th album from The Rolling Stones. It is hard to resist the sentimentality, loneliness and heartbreak on display on ‘Back in your Life’ or the ‘Ringing Hollow’ that reveal a different side to what the band is capable of.
On occasion, the band lose slight control – for example ‘Hit Me On the Head’ is a really dizzying track that can be slightly overwhelming to listen to. But for the most part, it is a record that has been well structured in tone and pace tone to ensure that the listener is captivated from start to finish – not an easy thing to do but with their experience The Rolling Stones manage to pull it off.
Overall, Foreign Tongue more than justifies why The Rolling Stones are still making music – particularly when it is as strong as it is here.
Rating: ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Foreign Tongue is available to buy now.