In this column, I celebrate the latest returns from The Rolling Stones, Charley Crockett and an essential tribute to "Cosmic American Music" spearheaded by alt country champion Christian Parker.
Title: Foreign Tongues (Capitol)
You might like if you enjoy: The Rolling Stones
Tell me more: Against all odds — and time itself — The Rolling Stones are back. More than 60 years after emerging from the early '60s London music scene, the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers returned on July 10 with their 25th studio album, Foreign Tongues. Produced by Andrew Watt, the new star-studded followup to the band's 2023 album Hackney Diamonds features musical contributions from the illustrious likes of Cure frontman Robert Smith (vocals, guitar), Steve Winwood, keyboardist Benmont Tench (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers), drummer Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers), Bruno Mars, Sir Paul McCartney and more. The album even features a track recorded with the late Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts just prior to his death in 2021! Is this a top-tier return from the English band featuring Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood? Definitely. The 14-track album is loaded with the band's signature brand of blues-influenced rock and roll. Just listen to the rowdy "Mr. Charm" featuring Jagger's rapid-fire vocals, the rousing blues-rock gem "Rough And Twisted" adorned with some killer blues harmonica, the shimmering instant classic "In The Stars," R&B-flavored "Jealous Lover" (the latter showcasing Jagger's terrific falsetto vocals) or countrified "Ringing Hollow" to feel the spirit of the so-called "greatest rock and roll band in the world" rear their glorious head in 2026. Other terrific cuts on the LP include the propulsive '80s-tinged rocker "Never Wanna Lose You" featuring backing vocals from Smith, the tender "Covered In You" and "Back In Your Life," and infectious dance-fueled "Side Effects." The album closes out with a delightfully raw slide guitar heavy reading of Chuck Berry's 1958 classic "Beautiful Delilah." Information: rollingstones.com.
Title: Clovis (Atlantic Outpost)
You might like if you enjoy: Hank Williams, Michael Ubaldini, Waylon Jennings, Merle Haggard
Tell me more: Originally released on April 28, 2026 — and then pulled from all streaming services because of record company-related legal issues on May 7 — Charley Crockett's 17th studio album Clovis was re-released by Atlantic Outpost on July 3 in time for America's 250th Birthday. The 14-track LP is a true return to form for the Texas native. Recorded in a mere six days in Clovis, New Mexico (March 21-26, 2026) while Crockett, his entire band and album producer Shooter Jennings were sick with COVID-19, the album is a true celebration of Crockett's neotraditional country approach. The album is outstanding, bolstered by a parade of winning originals spanning from the driving opener "The Hallelujah Trail" (co-written by Jennings and Crockett) to the outlaw country-mining closer "Waylon Rides Again." Among this writer's favorite tracks on the disc are the Waylon Jennings-flavored "Down by Law," the soulful romance-themed "Image of a Woman," rowdy country rocker "Eagle and the Crow," autobiographical "Country Music," tender "Last Night at the Alamo" and deeply affecting cover of Johnny Cash's 1958 original "Don't Take Your Guns to Town." Information: charleycrockett.com.
Title: American Cosmic Revival Vol. 2: Miles From Nowhere (Subcat Records / Edgewater Music Group)
You might like if you enjoy: Gram Parsons, Michael Ubaldini, The Flying Burrito Brothers, Merle Haggard, Gene Clark, Bob Dylan
Tell me more: In the late 1960s and early '70s, Gram Parsons and Chris Hillman were among the principal artists who crafted music that blended country, folk and rock music into what would soon be dubbed "Cosmic American Music." Indeed, that movement influenced a number of other music icons including The Eagles, Neil Young, Emmylou Harris, Poco, Michael Ubaldini, First Aid Kit and even The Rolling Stones. Now New York-based singer-guitarist Christian Parker has released an ambitious tribute to the beloved musical tradition with an illustrious cast of players including pianist Earl Poole Ball (whose career includes work with Parsons, Johnny Cash, The Byrds and the International Submarine Band) and pedal steel guitar player Jay Dee Maness (a founding member of the International Submarine Band and later a member of the Desert Rose Band). The mix of wonderful selections include a bewitching take on the Parsons-Hillman composition "Wheels," an emotive reading of the countrified ballad "She Once Lived Here," wistful Americana take of the Gene Clark-Bernie Leadon co-write "Train Leaves Here This Morning," soaring version of the Everly Brothers' beautiful "So Sad," and touching rendition of Merle Haggard's "If We Make It Through December." Closing out the fantastic collection is a touching rendering of The Rolling Stones' classic "Wild Horses." Information: christianparker.com or subcat.net.
Robert Kinsler
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