The result underscores the band’s staying power. The album arrived July 10 via Capitol. It is the band’s 25th studio album. The poll asked readers to vote for the week’s best new music. Foreign Tongues finished first.
How the poll shaped up
Billboard runs this reader vote every week. The field usually includes pop, hip-hop, and alternative releases. A Stones album winning it is not a surprise in name recognition, but it is a reminder that the band’s audience remains large enough to outvote every other act.
The album sound and guests
Foreign Tongues is produced by Andrew Watt. It follows the Hackney Diamonds blueprint. Guests include Paul McCartney on an upbeat groove, Robert Smith of the Cure on a darker section, and Steve Winwood on keys. Those names are not accidental. They signal a record made by musicians who still want to play with other musicians.
“The Stones are still winning polls because they are still releasing records that sound like work, not tribute.”
The rollout so far
The album lead-up included snippets, interview snippets with Jagger and Richards, and a listening event. It did not need a TikTok campaign. It needed a new album. Fans showed up.
Why It Matters
Billboard’s fan poll is one data point in a crowded market. For the Stones, it is confirmation that their core audience will turn out for new music even as streaming changes how most bands measure success. It also keeps Foreign Tongues in the conversation during a week when multiple new albums arrive.
For a deeper look at the same release, see our full review of Rolling Stones’ Foreign Tongues.
