Rolling Stones 'Foreign Tongues' album review: No nostalgia here - Foreign Tongues shows the Stones still mean business

With Foreign Tongues, The Rolling Stones have achieved something few bands could ever hope for this late in their career: they have delivered an album that feels fresh, inspired and unmistakably like themselves. Critics have been unanimous in their praise, with Rolling Stone suggesting it could be a fitting final chapter to their legendary career, while The Guardian and Uncut have hailed it as some of the band's strongest work in decades. Listening to the album, it's easy to understand why.

One of the standout moments is the band's superb reworking of Amy Winehouse's You Know I'm No Good, transforming the modern classic into a swaggering blues-rock stomper that sounds as though it had always belonged in the Stones' catalogue. Original tracks such as 'Mr Charm' and 'Jealous Lover' capture the sass, attitude and effortless groove that have defined Mick Jagger and Keith Richards for over sixty years.

It's remarkable that, while many of their contemporaries have settled into becoming nostalgia acts, the Stones continue writing songs of genuine quality. 'Beautiful Delilah' recalls the lo-fi Chicago blues spirit of their earliest recordings, while 'Covered in You' is a heartfelt ballad that evokes the polished songwriting of the 'Voodoo Lounge' era. The album also benefits from a handful of well-judged guest appearances that complement rather than overshadow the band. 'Back in Your Life', featuring Stevie Winwood, is a particular highlight a soulful, reflective song inspired by the modern experience of being ghosted after a brief romance.

Perhaps the album's most poignant moment is 'Hit Me in the Head', featuring the late Charlie Watts on drums. Recorded before his passing, the track serves as a moving tribute to the band's heartbeat, reminding listeners of the irreplaceable chemistry that made the Stones great.

Towards the closing stretch, the ballads provide warmth and reflection, while 'Side Effects' delivers an infectious blues-pop groove. It's the kind of song that could easily have been a major hit thirty years ago, highlighting the band's enduring gift for memorable songwriting.

'Foreign Tongues' proves that The Rolling Stones still have plenty to say. It is vibrant, confident and packed with the timeless swagger that continues to make them rock and roll's greatest survivors.