Let the old still believe they are young!
Hackney Diamonds is the twenty-fourth album (and twenty-sixth American release) by The Rolling Stones, released by Geffen Records in 2023. Their first album of original material since A Bigger Bang (not counting Blue And Lonesome), it's also their first album without long-time drummer Charlie Watts, who passed away in 2021. The album contains some of his final recordings.
Watts' passing was a major reason why Jagger and Richards decided to finally hunker down and make a new record. Having been tinkering with the songs for years, the album was recorded within a month, and promotion would continue for a whole year before it was finally released. The Stones would tour the album throughout the year and into 2024.
Tracklist:
- Angry (3:46)
- Get Close (4:10)
- Depending On You (4:03)
- Bite My Head Off (3:31)
- Whole Wide World (3:58)
- Dreamy Skies (4:38)
- Mess It Up (4:03)
- Live By The Sword (3:59)
- Driving Me Too Hard (3:16)
- Tell Me Straight (2:56)
- Sweet Sounds of Heaven (with Lady Gaga) (7:22)
- Rolling Stone Blues (2:41)
Principal Members:
- Mick Jagger - lead vocals, guitar
- Keith Richards - guitar, backing, and bass
- Charlie Watts - drums on "Live in the Sword" and "Mess It Up"
- Steve Jordan - drums on the rest of the album
- Ronnie Wood - guitar, backing vocals
Sweet Tropes of Heaven:
- Alternate Album Cover: A limited edition vinyl version of the album has a mass of eyes and the band's iconic tongue design instead of a heart.
- Break-Up Song: "Angry" is about a rebellious instance of this.
- Cover Version: Not as many as their last album, but there's the closer "Rolling Stone Blues" (an old blues song made famous by Muddy Waters), which is where the Stones got their name from.
- Genre Roulette: New producer Andrew Watt (also known as watt) encouraged more diversity in the songs they were playing. Along with the hard rock tracks of the band's later career, there's also more electronic, gospel and blues-inspired tracks.
- In Harmony with Nature: "Dreamy Skies" depicts someone moving out into the woods to enjoy a break from the world, and finally feeling peace.
- Song of Prayer: "Sweet Sounds of Heaven" is an affirmation of belief and hope, complete with Melismatic Vocals provided by Lady Gaga.
- Special Guest: Several appear throughout the album, including Stevie Wonder, Elton John, Paul McCartney and Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers member Benmont Tench. Former bassist Bill Wyman, who last played for the Stones on Steel Wheels, also appears for a few tracks.
- Step Up to the Microphone: Like with the last few albums, Keith Richards gets to sing on a song, in this case "Tell Me Straight".
