The Rolling Stones have overhauled their songwriting process for their 25th studio album, Foreign Tongues, with Mick Jagger and Keith Richards now preparing fully formed songs before entering the studio to save time. The album, set for release on July 10, 2026, marks a departure from the all-night sessions of the 1960s and 1970s, which could take months.
Jagger and Richards Streamline Their Approach
Mick Jagger, 82, explained: "Before you come into an album, you have to have the songs done. In another world, you didn't do that. And a lot of bands that I know still go into the studio with very little idea of what they're going to do, and they just hope for the best." He added that he prefers preparation: "What you want to do is prepare, and then if you get something amazing happens, that you don't expect, then great. That's a bonus."
Keith Richards, also 82, described their co-writing process: "We're usually thousands of miles apart and then we get together for a day or two and say 'what have you got?'. And then we shatter again." He compared assembling the album to a jigsaw puzzle: "All of the terrible mistakes and holes make themselves obvious. They've got to be filled."
From iPhone Demos to Studio Collaboration
Jagger now starts lyrics by singing into his iPhone: "Before I had to go and scramble for my workbook, now I just sing a cappella into my phone." Richards develops riffs and chord sequences on guitar, often playing Buddy Holly or Otis Redding to spark ideas. He said: "There is a moment where your fingers are being taken away somewhere you hadn't intended but it's sounding pretty damn good."
In the studio, guitarist Ronnie Wood described the atmosphere: "It's always positive, it's always creative. And I love to fuel the fire of Jagger and Richards because they are a great songwriting team. It's like let's put some more coal on that fire."
New Drummer Steve Jordan and Final Mix Details
For Foreign Tongues, drummer Steve Jordan replaced the late Charlie Watts. Jagger worked closely with him: "Sometimes on this record I went in a few days with Steve just on my own and I would go through the beats... I go in and I just play piano and jump around and dance with Steve because I try out different beats and I sing."
The album was recorded in weeks, contrasting with earlier marathon sessions. Jagger also uses drum loops and guitar when writing, and is hands-on with final mixes, checking drum sounds by singing and dancing without guitars playing.
The band discussed their methods on the new podcast Speaking In Tongues. Foreign Tongues is released July 10, 2026.
