Everything We Know About Rolling Stones’ New Album ‘Hackney Diamonds’

The Rolling Stones, one of the most iconic rock bands of all time, is returning with a brand new album titled “Hackney Diamonds” which is packed with surprises.

On Monday night, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, and Ronnie Wood joined the stage with Jimmy Fallon to unveil their forthcoming album.

“We got to make a record that we really love ourselves,” Jagger said about the new record.

Hackney Diamond

The album’s name was a result of “flinging ideas around.” The title referred to a British slang for shattered glass in the Hackney neighborhood. “It’s like when we get your window screen broken on a Saturday night on Hackney,” Jagger said.

Hackney Diamonds was made rather quickly. They began putting the pieces together around Christmas last year, and before they knew it, they had two albums worth of songs in hand.

The 18 Years’ Hiatus

“We were a bit too lazy,” Jagger admitted. “And then suddenly we said, ‘Let’s make a record and make a deadline.’” With that being said, the Stones jumped into the studio in December and slated 23 tracks. They rounded out the album in February and collaborated on the production across Jamaica, Los Angeles, and New York.

The sound

Jagger described their new record to be an “eclectic” mix of love songs, ballads, classic rock, and a little “anger.”

But one man will forever be missed. He is featured in two tracks on this record.

Talking about their late drummer, Charlie Watts, Richards said: “He’s No. 4. He’s missing.” Hackney Diamonds will also be the first release without the fourth founding member, who has been with the Stones since they formed in 1962 in London. They have included two tracks recorded with Watts in 2019.

“Angry” and Sydney Sweeney

“This is the biggest thing ever," Sweeney said. She said she “loved” the songs and they have been “stuck in her head.”

The Euphoria star is featured in the “Angry” music video, which debuted on Monday. She rocks a black leather bustier in a red Mercedes, riding past the history of Rolling Stones billboards reminiscent of the band’s most iconic moments.

Tracklist

The Stones walked fans through the track lists, beginning with “Get Close,” “Depending On You,” “Bite My Head Off,” and “Whole Wide World.” That’s when Wood made a remark about the latter song having a “funky riff.” From there, they’ll go into “Dreamy Skies,” a song about being “stranded and wanting to get away from it all,” followed by “Mess It Up.” “Live By the Sword” will feature Watts, and then “Driving Me Too Hard”

Richards had no idea what “Tell Me Straight” was about, but “Sweet Sound of Heaven” will be a gospel song with Lady Gaga.

The album concludes with “Rolling Stone Blues.”

Release date

The 12-track Hackney Diamond is set to release on Oct. 20.