By Steven J. Horowitz
Senior Music Writer
The Rolling Stones have released “Sweet Sounds of Heaven” featuring Lady Gaga and Stevie Wonder, the second single off of their upcoming album “Hackney Diamonds.”
Frontman Mick Jagger penned the languid blues number at his home in London. Gaga appears on the track as a co-vocalist of sorts, complementing Jagger’s throaty yelps, while Wonder adds some signature flair on the Fender Rhodes, Moog and piano. They recorded the seven-minute track in Los Angeles and the Bahamas alongside Grammy-winning producer Andrew Watt (Post Malone, Justin Bieber), who helmed the entirety of “Hackney Diamonds.”
“Hackney Diamonds,” which will release on October 20 via Geffen Records, is the first studio album from The Rolling Stones in 18 years. “Sweet Sounds of Heaven” marks the second single from the album after “Angry,” which debuted a few weeks ago. Earlier this month, the legendary band debuted the record in London, revealing that the late drummer Charlie Watts will be heard on two of the album’s dozen tracks. The rest feature Steve Jordan, who Watts personally selected to replace him. Elsewhere on the album, Paul McCartney contributes bass on “Bite My Head Off” while Elton John plays piano on “Get Close” and “Live by the Sword.”
The group has toured regularly over the past few decades, but took a break from recording original material to release “Blue & Lonesome,” a collection of blues standards that came out in 2016. “Hackney Diamonds” will be the group’s first release since the 2021 death of Watts, the founding drummer who played at every single Stones show except one since 1962.
A Variety and iHeartRadio Podcast
The Business of Entertainment
