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The Rolling Stones Drop 25th UK Studio Album Foreign Tongues, Debut No. 1 on Billboard Sales Chart
On July 10, 2026, the Rolling Stones released their 25th UK studio album, Foreign Tongues. The 14‑track set, produced by Andrew Watt and issued through Capitol Records, entered Billboard’s Top Album Sales chart at No. 1—marking the band’s first topper on that list—while debuting at No. 7 on the Billboard 200 with 53,000 equivalent units, according to Billboard’s July 24 report. The release also cemented the Stones as the second‑most successful act for UK studio albums, tying them with the Beatles.
Foreign Tongues blends ten brand‑new compositions with four older recordings that were remixed for the album. Mick Jagger described the process as a “bulldozer approach,” noting that the sessions at Metropolis Studios in West London were wrapped up in less than a month. The rapid pace was intended to prevent the band from over‑analyzing a track before it was finished, preserving a sense of immediacy that the Stones have long championed.
The album’s lead single, “In the Stars,” dropped on May 5, 2026, followed by “Jealous Lover” on June 25. “In the Stars” topped several UK vinyl sales charts, and its music video—directed by François Rousselet—featured de‑aged versions of the band members created with deep‑fake technology, a visual twist that underscored the record’s blend of tradition and innovation.
Two cover tracks bookend the collection. The Stones reinterpret Amy Winehouse’s “You Know I’m No Good” and close with a Chuck Berry cover, “Beautiful Delilah.” These selections illustrate the group’s willingness to reinterpret both contemporary and classic material alongside their own work.
The guest list reads like a cross‑section of rock history. Paul McCartney plays bass on “Covered in You,” his first instrumental contribution to a Stones record, a fact reported by Variety in May. Other collaborators include Steve Winwood on organ, Robert Smith of The Cure on guitar, Chad Smith of the Red Hot Chili Peppers on drums, Benmont Tench on keyboards, and Bruno Mars credited for cowbell.
A notable moment is the inclusion of Charlie Watts’ final recordings. Watts, who died in 2021, appears on the fast‑punk track “Hit Me in the Head,” recorded during Los Angeles sessions in his final years. Steve Jordan handles the rest of the drum kit, a role Watts had endorsed before his death. Keith Richards said Watts “passed on the baton to him.”
Foreign Tongues follows the 2023 Grammy‑winning album Hackney Diamonds, which was the Stones’ 14th UK number‑one studio album. The new release continues the band’s pattern of late‑career output, blending fresh material with archival tracks.
The album’s chart performance and the presence of high‑profile collaborators underscore the Stones’ enduring relevance. While the band has not announced a subsequent studio project, Foreign Tongues demonstrates that the group remains active in the recording studio and in the marketplace.
In summary, Foreign Tongues entered the market with strong sales, tied the Stones with the Beatles for second‑most UK chart‑toppers, and featured a blend of new songs, covers, and guest performances, including the last recordings of drummer Charlie Watts.
Foreign Tongues blends ten brand‑new compositions with four older recordings that were remixed for the album. Mick Jagger described the process as a “bulldozer approach,” noting that the sessions at Metropolis Studios in West London were wrapped up in less than a month. The rapid pace was intended to prevent the band from over‑analyzing a track before it was finished, preserving a sense of immediacy that the Stones have long championed.
The album’s lead single, “In the Stars,” dropped on May 5, 2026, followed by “Jealous Lover” on June 25. “In the Stars” topped several UK vinyl sales charts, and its music video—directed by François Rousselet—featured de‑aged versions of the band members created with deep‑fake technology, a visual twist that underscored the record’s blend of tradition and innovation.
Two cover tracks bookend the collection. The Stones reinterpret Amy Winehouse’s “You Know I’m No Good” and close with a Chuck Berry cover, “Beautiful Delilah.” These selections illustrate the group’s willingness to reinterpret both contemporary and classic material alongside their own work.
The guest list reads like a cross‑section of rock history. Paul McCartney plays bass on “Covered in You,” his first instrumental contribution to a Stones record, a fact reported by Variety in May. Other collaborators include Steve Winwood on organ, Robert Smith of The Cure on guitar, Chad Smith of the Red Hot Chili Peppers on drums, Benmont Tench on keyboards, and Bruno Mars credited for cowbell.
A notable moment is the inclusion of Charlie Watts’ final recordings. Watts, who died in 2021, appears on the fast‑punk track “Hit Me in the Head,” recorded during Los Angeles sessions in his final years. Steve Jordan handles the rest of the drum kit, a role Watts had endorsed before his death. Keith Richards said Watts “passed on the baton to him.”
Foreign Tongues follows the 2023 Grammy‑winning album Hackney Diamonds, which was the Stones’ 14th UK number‑one studio album. The new release continues the band’s pattern of late‑career output, blending fresh material with archival tracks.
The album’s chart performance and the presence of high‑profile collaborators underscore the Stones’ enduring relevance. While the band has not announced a subsequent studio project, Foreign Tongues demonstrates that the group remains active in the recording studio and in the marketplace.
In summary, Foreign Tongues entered the market with strong sales, tied the Stones with the Beatles for second‑most UK chart‑toppers, and featured a blend of new songs, covers, and guest performances, including the last recordings of drummer Charlie Watts.