The Rolling Stones have returned with a double dose of new music, releasing ‘Jealous Lover’ and ‘Divine Intervention’, two tracks from their forthcoming album Foreign Tongues. Rather than treating the songs as a traditional A-side and B-side, the legendary rock band has presented them as equal companions, each showcasing a different side of the group’s enduring creativity.
While both songs mark another exciting chapter in the band’s remarkable career, only ‘Jealous Lover’ has received the cinematic treatment. The music video, available exclusively through Amazon Music, stars acclaimed actors Anya Taylor-Joy and Charles Melton, adding an extra layer of star power to the release.
Mick Jagger’s Timeless Performance
On ‘Jealous Lover’, Mick Jagger once again proves that age is just a number. At 82, the iconic frontman delivers an astonishing falsetto performance that many singers decades younger would struggle to match. The upbeat, feel-good anthem is elevated further by contributions from Steve Winwood and producer Andrew Watt, whose polished production brings fresh energy to the band’s signature sound.
‘Divine Intervention’ Delivers Classic Stones Grit
If ‘Jealous Lover’ embraces melody and optimism, ‘Divine Intervention’ leans into the raw, blues-infused rock ‘n’ roll that made The Rolling Stones legends in the first place. Driven by crunchy guitars and an anthemic chorus, the track features Jagger declaring:
“Divine intervention is out of the question, I’m gonna dance in the flames, ’cause divine intervention is out of the question.”
Although Robert Smith of The Cure doesn’t take over lead vocals, his unmistakable guitar work leaves a haunting impression throughout the song, adding a touch of dark magic that perfectly complements its gritty atmosphere.
An Unexpected Collaboration With Robert Smith
Remarkably, Smith had never actually met The Rolling Stones before joining them in the studio. The collaboration happened almost entirely by chance after both artists found themselves working at London’s Metropolis Studios on the same day.
Recalling the encounter, Jagger shared a humorous story about their first meeting:
“I turned up one day to do my vocals in London and there’s this bloke standing there with his back to me with his long gown on, and when he turned around he was covered in lipstick.”
Jagger introduced himself in typically unforgettable fashion.
“I’ve never met him before, and I said, ‘You are Robert Smith of The Cure.’ And he said, ‘Yeah, we’ve never met.'”
The Rolling Stones frontman wasted no time turning the chance encounter into a collaboration.
“Then I said, ‘Well, while you’re here then you’d better go and do something.’ That’s how collaborations work sometimes. Go out and sing the backing vocal.”
What began as an unexpected meeting quickly evolved into one of the album’s most intriguing musical partnerships.
More Than Just New Music
Alongside the release of the two new songs on June 25, The Rolling Stones also launched the first episode of their brand-new podcast, Speaking in Tongues. The six-part series offers fans an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the making of Foreign Tongues, which arrives on July 10.
In the debut episode, the band reflects on the loss of longtime drummer Charlie Watts, discusses their growing creative relationship with producer Andrew Watt, and reveals how the earliest ideas for Foreign Tongues came together.
With two compelling new singles, a fascinating collaboration with Robert Smith, and an intimate podcast giving fans unprecedented access to the creative process, Foreign Tongues is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated rock albums of the year. More than six decades into their career, The Rolling Stones continue to prove why they remain one of the greatest and most influential bands in rock history.