Robert Smith with the Rolling Stones: Mick Jagger tells the story of how the strange collaboration for “Foreign Tongues” came about

What is Robert Smith, frontman of the Cure, doing on a Rolling Stones album? An unpredictable collaboration, born almost by chance.

After announcing the release of “Foreign Tongues”, due out on July 10th, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood revealed some behind-the-scenes details about the English band's twenty-fifth studio album, during a conversation with Conan O'Brien. Among the guests featured on the record are also Paul McCartney, Steve Winwood and Chad Smith of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Robert Smith's involvement, however, came about in a completely random way.

Mick Jagger explained that the two happened to be at Metropolis Studios in Chiswick, London, at the same time. The Stones frontman recalled: "One day I arrived to record my vocal parts and there was this guy with his back to me, wearing a long robe. When he turned around he was completely covered in lipstick". At that point Jagger decided to break the ice: "I'd never met him before and I said to him: 'You're Robert Smith from the Cure'. And he replied: 'Yes, we've never met'".

Once the initial awkwardness had passed, the two started chatting, and Jagger figured he might as well bring him straight into the sessions for the new Rolling Stones album. “So I said to him: 'Since you're here, you might as well do something.' Sometimes that's how collaborations work. Go in there and sing the backing vocals.”

It has not yet been revealed on which track of “Foreign Tongues” Smith actually appears.

For the new album, the Stones once again worked with producer Andrew Watt, who was also behind the console for 2023's “Hackney Diamonds” as well as Paul McCartney's upcoming album, “The Boys Of Dungeon Lane”.

Unlike many of the English band's previous productions, “Foreign Tongues” was recorded in a remarkably short time: less than a month. In the statement released on May 5th, Jagger described the sessions at Metropolis Studios as “very intense weeks.” “We had 14 great songs and we went as fast as we could. I like working there because the room isn't too big, and you can really feel the energy of everyone in it.” Keith Richards also described the work as “a month of concentrated bursts,” adding that the album was fueled by the London atmosphere surrounding the recordings.

The Rolling Stones are back with new music ahead of the release of “Foreign Tongues”, due out on July 10th. The album arrives three years after “Hackney Diamonds” and marks a new chapter for the band led by Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood. Two tracks precede the album: “In The Stars”, the first official single, and “Rough And Twisted”, previously circulated under the name Cockroaches and set to open the tracklist. Both will also be included on a physical release due out on May 15th. “In The Stars” develops a theme tied to fate and destiny, with lyrics that dwell on the idea of a path already written.

Listen to the two tracks below.

“Foreign Tongues” will feature 14 tracks. The cover art is by US artist Nathaniel Mary Quinn, who describes the project as a direct reckoning with one of the longest-running and most influential forces in contemporary music culture.

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