The Rolling Stones have been one of the biggest and most renowned bands in the world across their six decades of existence. As one of the pioneers of the British Invasion and the surging popularity of rock and roll, their music has had huge impacts on Western music and inspired many of today’s artists. The band has gone through their share of troubles, tragically losing members over the years, but they are still going strong to this day.
And now The Rolling Stones are making a comeback with their latest album, Hackney Diamonds. This album is the band’s first new original music since 2005’s A Bigger Bang eighteen years ago. It also marks their first album to be released after drummer Charlie Watts died in 2021. This album’s announcement was a big surprise and quite exciting to me as a fan of classic rock. I was interested to see what The Rolling Stones had in store.
The lead single, “Angry,” released on September 6, and it is an upbeat, catchy tune. It has The Rolling Stones classic rock sound that is very pleasant to listen to. It was very promising for the overall sound of the album. The second single, “Sweet Sounds of Heaven,” released on September 28, features Lady Gaga and Stevie Wonder in a slow, mellow melody with a lovely 1970s sound. Lady Gaga’s vocals blend beautifully with Mick Jagger’s as Wonder’s piano work gives a soft soulful touch to the song.
These two songs together are exemplary of the overall sound of Hackney Diamonds that only gets better with every song on the album. The entire album is a great combination of The Rolling Stones’ older sound with an infusion of current day music. Many of the songs have a classic rock core with newer musical elements that can draw in older and younger fans. The two go together very well, creating music that is nostalgic, yet modern.
The album is also star-studded with the artists that it features. It is so cool to see these amazing artist collaborate with The Rolling Stones and bring a bit of themselves into the music. Hackney Diamonds features Paul McCartney, Elton John, Lady Gaga, and Stevie Wonder on various songs and their presence does so much for each of the songs they are in.
“Bite My Head Off,” which features McCartney, has a hard rock feel in comparison to the rest of the album’s soft rock sound, but it still remains cohesive with its mid-20th century rock n’ roll vibes. It was so cool to hear McCartney collaborating with The Rolling Stones as a fellow pioneer of rock music. McCartney’s work on the bass guitar is nothing short of stellar and shines in the song.
Much like “Sweet Sounds of Heaven,” “Live By the Sword” features John on the piano. The piano is more of an accompaniment and is featured a bit less in the song that Wonder’s work but is still a great compliment to such an engaging and catchy song.
One song that stood out as different from the rest was “Dreamy Skies.” This song has a serene, almost beachy sound that feels more in the lines of 1960s psychedelic rock than the 1970s’ takes on music. It was slightly disconcerting to hear this shift at first, but the melody is very relaxing with mellow lyrics that make you want to sit on a warm beach as you watch the sunset.
The final song on the album, “Rolling Stone Blues,” is also a bit different from the other tracks as its flavor of rock feels like a fusion of country and blues music. It’s a slow, methodical song that is mostly instrumental. One thing that is interesting about the song is that is a cover of the song “Rollin’ Stone” by Muddy Waters, which was the inspiration for The Rolling Stones’ name. It is a nice tribute to a big part of the band’s history and is covered beautifully.
Throughout all of Hackney Diamonds, one of the best parts is Mick Jagger’s vocals. He has been one of the best parts of the entirety of The Rolling Stones’ discography ever since the founding of the band. Even at 80-years-old, he still maintains that captivating, distinct performance that he is known for. It is amazing to hear him still at the top of his game.
Hackney Diamonds is a testament to the power of The Rolling Stones. Even after all these years of not releasing any original music, they still have what it takes to create some bangers. The Rolling Stones are iconic for a reason and this album is proof of their staying power in the music industry. I was overall very pleased and excited about this album. It is great to see such a great band with is great new music out. I’m hopeful for what they have planned in the future.
