“Divine Intervention” and “Jealous Lover” showcase the two sides of the Stones’ new album: unbridled rock featuring the frontman of The Cure and an elegant tribute to classic soul
Few bands can afford to release their 25th album and still generate the same excitement as when they first started setting stages ablaze more than six decades ago.
But The Rolling Stones have never been just any band.
With just a few weeks to go before the release of *Foreign Tongues*, their highly anticipated new studio album, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, and Ronnie Wood have decided to offer one last big teaser by releasing two songs that are completely different from each other but equally representative of the vast sonic range that has always defined the band.
First up is “Divine Intervention, “ an explosive rock song featuring Robert Smith, the frontman of The Cure.
On the other hand, “Jealous Lover, “ an elegant soul and rhythm & blues track in which Mick Jagger showcases one of the most surprising vocal performances of recent years.
Two songs.
Two styles.
And just one conclusion.
The Stones are still enjoying doing exactly what they want.
Robert Smith Enters the Stone Universe
The big surprise on “Foreign Tongues” will undoubtedly be Robert Smith’s appearance.
The Cure’s frontman not only puts his personal stamp on “Divine Intervention, “ but also appears on two tracks on the album, contributing electric guitar parts that enrich the album’s sound without altering the Stones’ DNA.
The collaboration came about in a way that was as spontaneous as it was curious.
As Mick Jagger explained in an interview with Vulture, the two happened to run into each other at the studio.
“There was a guy with his back to us, wearing a kind of long tunic. When he turned around, he was completely covered in lipstick.”
After discovering that they had never met in person, Jagger resolved the situation with a remark that was very typical of the Stones.
“Since you’re here… you might as well do something.”
That’s how one of the most unexpected collaborations of the year began.
Steve Winwood also leaves his mark
Another notable name on the album is Steve Winwood.
The legendary British musician appears on both “Divine Intervention” and “Jealous Lover, “ playing piano, Hammond organ, and Rhodes keyboards.
His presence adds an unmistakable classic vibe that connects the album to the roots of soul, blues, and British rock from the late 1960s.
“Jealous Lover” and When the Stones Turn to Soul
While “Divine Intervention” represents the album’s most energetic side, “Jealous Lover” showcases a completely different facet.
Here, Jagger draws on a surprising falsetto to tell a story of jealousy, toxic relationships, and personal freedom set to an elegant rhythm & blues backing track.
It’s a song that reminds us that the Rolling Stones were never just a rock band.
From their earliest albums, they drew on the soul of Stax, the Chicago blues, and the American tradition that had always inspired Jagger and Richards.
A music video featuring Hollywood stars
“Jealous Lover” is also accompanied by a spectacular music video starring Anya Taylor-Joy (The Queen’s Gambit, Furiosa) and Charles Melton (May December, Beef).
The project is directed by Chris Barrett and Luke Taylor, who have worked on projects for Radiohead, Jack White, and Royal Blood.
The video was initially released exclusively on Amazon Music before becoming available on other platforms.
An album packed with legendary guest artists
Foreign Tongues brings together more than just Robert Smith and Steve Winwood.
The album will also feature collaborations with some of the biggest names in rock history:
- Paul McCartney, playing bass on several songs.
- Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers), providing some drum backing.
- Charlie Watts, who appears on several recordings made during the Hackney Diamonds sessions.
It will be one of the last previously unreleased recordings featuring the legendary Stones drummer.
Charlie Watts Is Still With Us
Although Charlie Watts passed away in 2021, his spirit continues to be a part of the band.
Some of the sessions recorded during the making of *Hackney Diamonds* ended up fitting perfectly into this new project.
His participation makes *Foreign Tongues* a particularly emotional album for the band’s fans.
Not as a tribute.
But rather as a natural continuation of the story.
Much more than just a rock album
During the album’s launch in New York, Mick Jagger made clear what the philosophy behind *Foreign Tongues* has been.
“The Stones are a rock band. But we also play ballads, country, soul, and dance music. We’ve never limited ourselves to just one style.”
That statement is reflected in a repertoire that includes fast-paced rock songs, mid-tempo tracks, country-inspired compositions like “Ringing Hollow,” and even a cover of Amy Winehouse’s classic, “You Know I’m No Good.”
A mix that once again demonstrates the group’s tremendous open-mindedness.
The Comeback After Hackney Diamonds
After the huge success of *Hackney Diamonds*—considered by many to be the Stones’ best album in decades and winner of the Grammy for Best Rock Album—the band seemed to have regained an unexpected creative energy.
Keith Richards summed it up perfectly a few weeks ago.
“The inspiration we got from Hackney Diamonds was so powerful that we just kept recording.”
And that’s exactly what happened.
Instead of stopping, they decided to keep composing.
The result is *Foreign Tongues*.
A podcast that takes you behind the scenes of the album
To coincide with the release, the Rolling Stones will premiere *Speaking In Tongues*, an official six-episode podcast in which they will discuss the entire creative process behind the album.
In addition to Mick, Keith, and Ronnie, the following will be participating:
- Robert Smith
- Andrew Watt (producer)
- Steve Winwood
- Nathaniel Mary Quinn, creator of the album cover
A perfect opportunity to learn all the details of the project.
Will there be a tour?
Everything seems to indicate that it is.
Although the European tour scheduled for 2026 was ultimately canceled due to issues related to Keith Richards’ schedule, both Jagger and the guitarist himself have confirmed that the plan is to return to the stage in 2027.
The official announcement could come after the album’s release.
And given the band’s current creative momentum, no one is ruling out a new world tour.
LoffMusic’s opinion
At this point, the Rolling Stones no longer have anything to prove.
However, they continue to do so.
“Foreign Tongues ” is not intended to compete with the classics of the 1970s.
Nor does it try to sound modern at any cost.
What he achieves is something much more difficult.
To convey the sense that a band with more than sixty years of history continues to enjoy itself just as much as it did on its first day.
And you can hear that in every chord of “Divine Intervention.”
In every note of “Jealous Lover.”
And likely an entire album that promises to become another brilliant chapter in rock’s most extraordinary history.
