On Oct. 20, The Rolling Stones released their hugely anticipated album, Hackney Diamonds — their first original album since the 2005 LP, A Bigger Bang.
With the band’s existence spanning over 60 years and following the death of their longtime drummer Charlie Watts in August of 2021, one would not expect much from this newest Stones album. The band has lacked direction in the last few decades, releasing endless live and studio albums which feel bland, uninspired and lifeless.
Despite all this, Hackney Diamonds is the Rolling Stones’ greatest project in more than 40 years. Recorded before Watts’ death, the album feels fresh, powerful and fun from start to finish. The script is flipped and the Stones are back in full force, bringing their remarkable rock ‘n’ roll energy to this record.
Hackney Diamonds opens with the pop-rock song “Angry,” which features Euphoria star Sydney Sweeney in the band’s music video. The vocals and guitar are sharp, with lead singer Mick Jagger sounding youthful and recharged. It makes for an excellent album opener and sets the tone for the rest of the album: precise, strong and catchy.
“Get Close,” “Depending On You” and “Bite My Head Off” follow, creating an impressive run of songs to open the album. The easy to decode lyrics of “Get Close,” which touch on reconnecting with your past, make for a light listen. “Depending On You” is a fantastic vintage Stones ballad, as Jagger grapples with a bitter breakup and embroidered half-truths.
“Bite My Head Off” features legendary Beatle Paul McCartney on bass. McCartney’s spotlighted shredding solo near the end of the song, combined with Jagger’s background whooping makes for an invigorating listen.
The raging rock song feels like it could have fit in well on the band’s renowned 1971 album Sticky Fingers, and provides listeners with one of Jagger’s best rhymes: “Well, life can be a riot, I can be the pilot, provided that it’s private.”
The album then takes a more lighthearted turn. On “Whole Wide World,” Jagger offers encouragement to those down on their luck, stating that even when people may think the party’s over, it’s only just begun.
“Dreamy Skies” comes from the soul, as Jagger yearns for escapism. The singular, raw guitar from Keith Richards provides for a highly personal, meaningful song that explores themes of finding peace.
The album’s pace picks up with “Mess It Up,” the band’s most disco-like song since the classic 1980s tune “Emotional Rescue.”
For this dance-worthy number, Watts shows technical flair on drums as he excellently keeps up with Jagger’s vocals and Richards on guitar, making for a cohesive, overlapping sound.
“Live By The Sword” follows with Bill Wyman on bass, Watts on drums and Elton John on piano — an epic collaboration paired with Jagger’s voice. The lead singer goes from low to high with ease, as he sings “If you live for revenge, gonna feel the backlash. If you live to be cruel, gonna bite you in the ass.”
The likely forgettable tune, “Driving Me Too Hard” is up next, offering minimal novelty to the record. Richards’ solo song, “Tell Me Straight,” explores his acknowledgement of the passing of time, as he asks, “I need an answer, how long can this last? Is my future all in the past?”
The song joins the ranks of old Richards classics, such as “You Got The Silver,” “Infamy” and “Slipping Away.”
The sweeping “Sweet Sounds Of Heaven” rounds out the album with Jagger and Lady Gaga belting out an absurd seven minutes of passion, with Stevie Wonder on piano. The song mimics similar emotions of hope and anger as heard on their most famous track “Gimme Shelter.”
Finally, we arrive at the closer, “Rolling Stone Blues,” arguably the most underwhelming song on the album — only because the rest of the project is so remarkable. Jagger’s voice is slightly rough and the band doesn’t sound engaged.
Overall, Hackney Diamonds is a legendary return to form for Jagger, Richards, Wood and posthumously, the amazing Watts. It’s clear that the Rolling Stones can still bring their iconic music force, and Hackney Diamonds proves the greatest rock ‘n’ roll band will never be a “beast of burden.”
The Rolling Stones are 2024 GRAMMY nominees for Best Rock Song with their Hackney Diamonds tune, “Angry.”
Featured image by the Rolling Stones.
