Rock legends The Rolling Stones are set to release their brand-new album Foreign Tongues, and the band is working far more efficiently than ever before. As guitarist Keith Richards put it, creating music under the influence of drugs was a significant part of their musical journey.
The new album Foreign Tongues was officially announced in May. It marks their first record since 2023’s Hackney Diamonds and their 25th studio album. Like its predecessor, the album was produced by Andrew Watt, with guest contributions from Paul McCartney, Robert Smith, Steve Winwood, and Chad Smith, drummer of the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
In an interview with MOJO magazine, producer Andrew Watt confirmed that Keith Richards, who now maintains a healthy lifestyle, arrived promptly at Metropolis Studios every single day during the production of Foreign Tongues — a stark contrast to the old days of what was known as "Keith Time", when recording sessions could drag on for hours or even days.
Keith Richards now states: “Working under the influence was indeed part of our story, because being a band guitarist is the only job you can get away with that sort of thing. I mean, I’m not driving a car, after all. But all those rumours about everyone being totally out of their minds high… that’s just not how it was.”
Keith Richards adds: “We took our work extremely seriously, with only a little bit of substances on occasion. It was either to keep us awake long enough to finish a track, or just to unwind a little. It was also very much a product of the era. Back in the Sixties and Seventies, attitudes toward this stuff were far more liberal.”
The Rolling Stones also confirmed that Foreign Tongues features one final track recorded by late drummer Charlie Watts titled Hit Me in the Head.
“We cut this track with Charlie out in Los Angeles,” Mick Jagger said. “It’s a fast, punk-style number, an extremely quick-paced song.”
Steve Jordan, Charlie Watts’ personally chosen long-term drum stand-in, handled all remaining drum parts across the album.
Speaking about the recording process, Keith Richards said: "When you walk into the studio, everyone comes together, craft a song or an idea, and just let it unfold naturally — you can’t plan everything out. You just go with the flow and hope it turns out great in the end."
