Hackney Diamonds

Release Date: October 20, 2023

Label: Polydor Records and Geffen Records

Popular Songs:

• Angry (YouTube)
• Sweet Sounds of Heaven (YouTube)
• Mess It Up (YouTube)

Songs You Need to Listen To:

• Depending On You (YouTube)
• Dreamy Skies (YouTube)
• Driving Me Too Hard (YouTube)
• Whole Wide World (YouTube)

Written By: Andy Trcka

May 31, 2024

Fall 2023 saw the release of Hackney Diamonds, the Rolling Stones’ first album of original material since 2005’s A Bigger Bang. A span of eighteen years separated the two albums; eighteen years is a lifetime for many bands. A pause that lengthy generated a grab bag of questions, anxieties, hype, and expectations. Music fans, including Stones diehards such as myself, were wondering:

 Are the Rolling Stones coasting off their laurels?

McCartney put out new stuff, why not the Stones?

Do the Stones have another classic in them, or are they washed up?

Are Mick and Kieth fighting again?

Ignoring all the superfluous chatter, as we embark into Hackney, I suggest there is only one question worth answering: is Hackney Diamonds an effort worthy of being in the Stones catalog?

Rumors of a new Stones album had been floating for a while, fueled by the prattle and scuttlebutt that stalks any major touring act. To help us through the pandemic, in 2020 the Stones released the single, “Living In a Ghost Town.” The accompanying buzz following “Ghost Town” nearly ignited into full-blown fervor for a new album…demand was high! Fortunately, with “Angry” (Hackney’s lead single) bursting onto airwaves in September 2023, rumor gave way to reality – a new album was on the horizon!

At first listen, “Angry” did not garner fascination.  I thought Mick’s vocals sounded workshopped, like an auto-tuned experiment by someone recording solo as a Covid project…Mick sounded a bit odd. But as “Angry” progressed, the usual stonesy signatures emerged. Keith and Ronnie’s guitars move front and center; both balancing Mick and providing depth and richness. The drums folded in and Jagger’s vocals transformed from quirky to genuine. It is a big song, a fiery rock song whose palpability breathes more naturally than other fast-moving tunes from the later part of their career. This is a fun way to introduce us to Hackney Diamonds and an exciting way to kick off what Mick declares is a “new era for the Rolling Stones.”

Overproduction is a characteristic that has been a limiting factor for the modern Stones. Bucking that trend, the flow of Hackney highlights the tremendous skill the fellas have by putting out such a smooth and balanced album, without feeling overly curated. The easy flow results in an album that can be enjoyed in almost limitless environments. Don’t be surprised to hear Hackney Diamonds at a backyard grilling party, an evening out, a road trip, or a listening session with a friend…it excels in any circumstance. Hackney Diamonds is laid out in a relaxed manner that is almost symphonic in its construction. Each tune is distinctive, but the transition between is never jolting…unless it is meant to be.

After “Angry” we move into “Get Close.” At the onset, “Get Close” appears to be a “take a break” sort of tune, but via a catchy refrain, gains steam. “Get Close” never rips wide open, instead it maintains an elevated yet restrained pace, as if to barrel you over with guile. The song almost feels instructional, preparing the listener for the oncoming experience. In this welcoming vein, “Get Close” harkens memories of Saturday Night Live when G.E. Smith’s sax opened the show. It is fitting we are prepped because what follows “Get Close” is a gem of considerable clarity, weight, shine, and cut.

“Depending On You,” propelled by Mick, unfolds like a conversation…a conversation between friends, one of which is navigating the pain of lost love. Moving on from a partnership, while most often a good idea, always sucks. After three verses of “Depending On You” we arrive at the refrain and are introduced to exactly why this lost love is so hard to take…

Now I’m too young for dying and

Too old to lose

…

‘Cause I was Depending on you

Excerpt from “Depending on You”

Songwriters: Keith Richards/Mick Jagger                                                        

Label: Polydor and Geffen Records

Here Mick and the boys speak of age. The message is entwined with a tale of a damaged heart. Sure, the multiplication of years presents difficulties, but there is also beauty in aging. Experience and wisdom are gained in volume, or at least should be. The strength of “Depending On You” is twofold: it speaks to the delicateness of age and with the rolling, jovial music, evokes a delightful emotional patina that only maturity can create. You don’t pity the poor heartbroken soul in this tune, but you do share the moment with him. The guitars throughout are patented Stones and the organ provides a gospel feel reminiscent of Exile on Main St. This is one of the best songs on the album and amongst the best licks of the modern Stones.

Even if “Depending On You” is nothing more than just another heartbreak song, it is still a top-notch tune. Voodoo Lounge gave us “The Worst” and with it, an emotional maturity previously not present in the Rolling Stones. In “The Worst” Kieth pleads with a gal to “not stick with him” because of the pain he will eventually deliver. It’s a thoughtful Richards singing those words, but he also holds all the cards. With “Depending On You,” the Stones have played their hand. The cards are on the table, it’s Mick that hurts. His pain is real and this is an evolution in empathy. The lyrics are heartfelt and genuine, delivered against the backdrop of rock and roll. “Depending on You” is a Rolling Stones song for any age.

For those who enjoy a song that moves fast, “Bite My Head Off” is led by guitarwork whose resonance is an experiment in rawness and volume. I was concerned my speakers might blow up, like the old days when the cones would tear open. Be assured, Hackney is mixed well. Your equipment will stay intact, but your heart rate will elevate as you move through “Bite My Head Off.” That means, like the Maxell guy, you can relax, albeit in a stimulated manner. This is a rock song. While not sounding exactly like any of the previously released hard-rocking tunes of the Stones catalog, it’s reasonable to say “Bite My Head Off” is indicative of the “new era” the Stones have embarked on. Like “You Got Me Rocking,” “Bite My Head Off” will be a regular addition to setlists. It is a blistering, disarrayed brain sort of song…lightning! Also in the quick lane is “Live By the Sword.” Here a stately presence is felt as Sir Paul McCartney joins Sir Jagger and the rest of the boys.

Boston, 2024 setlist created by Ronnie Wood – Note the inclusion of “Mess It Up”

While a pair of knights grace “Live By the Sword,” it is the percussion that draws attention. In terms of contributing to albums, “Live By the Sword,” and “Mess It Up” are where Charlie’s long tenure with the Stones ends. These songs are the last opportunities to hear Mr. Watts on album. Unless, of course, something emerges from the archives. Which these days is commonplace. Nonetheless, of the tunes on Hackney, Charlie is most clearly discerned on “Mess It Up.”

“Mess It Up” is a danceable tune that sounds like it escaped a late 70s discotheque. Some of Mr. Watts’ most defining moments as a Rolling Stone were in the late 70s and early 80s, helping guide the band through a difficult stretch. Difficult because the popularity of disco and punk were at a fever pitch. The pop landscape was changing, heading in a different direction than many classic rockers were geared for. Chatter was present in those days too, many wondered if the Stones would break up. Or if they did stick around, folks wondered how they would manage to stay relevant. Can you imagine a worse purgatory for Mick than irrelevancy? Fortunately, they not only stayed together and relevant, but also produced some of their best albums. Look no further than Tattoo You and Some Girls to confirm the brilliance of the stones in the late 70s/early 80s. The degree to which Charlie is responsible for the excellence is debatable, but what is not debatable is that his drumming shined brightly and reliably in this turbulent and productive stretch. Forty years onward and it’s still Charlie’s skilled hands that guide.

                I’m not a musician, but to me, the construction of a band is a bit like a family. For example…there is always the “cool” aunt or uncle at a holiday. You know this person, they live somewhere iconic like Hong Kong, London, or San Francisco; or they at least traffic in such places. Folks are giddy to catch up with this relative; to hear stories of their adventures. “Everyone, Listen up, I know it sounds ho-hum, but there is nothing simple about saving rhinoceroses…” This swashbuckling relative is exciting like a lead guitar. While they dazzle, the holiday is also filled with warmth by the labors of the “steady” relative. This is the person (or persons) who makes sure the punchbowl is full, food is tasty, and the environment is comfortable. The “steady” relative is akin to a drummer, providing a base for others to orbit around. Of course, this isn’t to value one over the other – a band and/or family can’t function without the other.

Strong in any of the band’s eras, Charlie’s reliable beats were a hallmark of the Stones and provided a sturdy base that afforded exploration and inspired improvisation from those circulating him. It took quite a person to provide such a firm foundation and would take an equally talented person to step into his void. On Hackney, Charlie’s standard is carried forward by his replacement, Steve Jordan. A tribute to both drummers, a pulsating beat is evident throughout Hackney. Jordan is heard prominently on tracks like “Angry,” “Driving Me Too Hard,” and “Whole Wide World.” With Jordan and Charlie’s steadiness, the brilliance of the Stones is freed, liberated to explore playful guitarwork, and Mick, to use his voice as an instrument. Speaking of Mick, Sir Jagger’s vocals are strong throughout, but are exemplary on “Driving Me Too Hard” and “Whole Wide World.”

Hackney Diamonds = The Shattered Remains of a Smashed Car Window.

Hackney Diamonds…Spend any time in an urban environment, London or otherwise, and you will encounter these pesky gems. The Hackney borough of London has its fair share of this phenomenon because the term is known throughout all of London, and now because of the Stones, known throughout the world. Tony Blair, Sid Vicious, Alfred Hitchcock, and Jessica Tandy at one time or another called Hackney home, but none of the Stones. While I don’t know what, if any connection the Stones have to the Hackney borough, I do know it is fun to see the Stones delve into their Britishness. Of particular enjoyment is hearing Mick slip into a Hackney accent partway through “Whole Wide World.” He does so at an earnest moment of tune, when the subject of the song is distant from the prosperity one could experience in a wealthy town like London.

Well, the dreary streets of London,

They never promised much

A dead-end job to nowhere

and all your dreams are crushed

When the whole wide world’s against you
And you’re standing in the rain
When all your friends have let you down
And treat you with disdain
And you think the party’s over
But it’s only just begun
Let’s raise a glass, get up and dance
‘Cause life’s just hit and, hit and, hit and run

Excerpt from “Whole Wide World”

Songwriters: Keith Richards/Mick Jagger                                                        

Label: Polydor and Geffen Records

It’s a difficult moment, but ultimately just a transitory juncture because “Whole Wide World,” is a “do up your hair” and hit the town sort of song. The tune is a reminder that, literally, the “Whole Wide World” is out there; ultimately luck will turn for the good. There is a playful exuberance to the song that is personified by Mick’s foray into the language of Hackney’s streets. The sound is rock, but the playfulness exhibited is the same good-natured, spirited experimentation delivered in early Stones records.

After years spent in A-class stardom, where posh is standard, who knows why Mick and the boys set their album in a working-class environ like Hackney. Fragility, a concept the working class knows well, is present throughout Hackey Diamonds. I’ve already touched on it, but even at face value, by glancing at song titles, fragility is prominent: “Depending On You,” “Get Close,” “Driving Me Too Hard, “Tell Me Straight,” and “Sweet Sounds of Heaven.”

                Light-hearted with straight-forward lyrics, “Driving Me Too Hard” is the kind of tune that will put a smile on your face. It is a simple song lyrically, but its value is derived from the entire band being present; the product of their labor is one of the best tracks on the album. Again guided by Mick, “Driving Me Too Hard” feels like the Stones, albeit with a new, 2020s breed of sound. It is a “put your feet up” and enjoy a beer on a Sunday afternoon sort of song. “Driving Me Too Hard” isn’t a depth charge, either emotionally or musically, but it is a breezy joy to listen to.

A nasty consequence of possessing as much talent as the Stones is that laudable contributions frequently go unheralded. For the Stones, a high degree of performance is simply expected. One such example – for years Ronnie Wood has provided top-notch steel guitar. Hackney is no exception. Guided by Wood’s twangy steel, “Dreamy Skies” is a country tune that a cowboy or tumbleweed would pause their day to enjoy. The tune comes at a point in the tracklist where, as the song says, offers an opportunity to “take a break from it all.” My only critique of “Dreamy Skies” is more of a curiosity; Mick is great at the helm, but I wonder how the tune would sound with Kieth singing.

                Kieth at lead for a tune and the band delivering a nod/thank you to their bluesy roots – with “Tell Me Straight” and “Rolling Stone Blues,” Hackney Diamonds fulfills these stereotypes that accompany modern Stones records. The enjoyment for the listener comes from the fact both these songs not only excel in their stereotypical contributions but exceed their purposes. “Tell Me Straight” – Here again we have a person contemplating a relationship, but unlike “Depending On You,” this conversation precedes a breakup. “Tell Me Straight” is a plea for honesty. The song is fracturable emotion enlivened by tight musicianship. At the forefront of the sound is Keith’s guitar, matched with superb percussion. Jordan’s drumming could serve as a metaphor for the heart palpitations a lover’s quarrel induces. “Rolling Stone Blues” is the experience in rawness that the Stones’ 2016 album, Blue and Lonesome aspired to be. Harmonica and guitar – “Rolling Stone Blues” is genuine and harkens back to Mick and the boys riffing off one another on a London evening. The tune is a trip back to their roots and a lovely homage to their mentor in the blues, Muddy Waters. “Rolling Stone Blues” is contemplative, an invitation to decompress.  It doesn’t happen often in rock, but I love it when an album ends on a slow note. Dylan on Empire Burlesque, Bruce singing about his “Hometown” – in this regard Hackney Diamonds is in terrific company.

                Sunsets and Time

Situated atop a bluff high above the rest of the Twin Cities, the sunsets were phenomenal in my previous neighborhood, St. Paul’s Mounds Park. I rarely noticed. Channeling George Bernard Shaw, my football coach often said, “youth is wasted on the young.” In my current neighborhood, I do notice. Unfortunately, the flat topography in Mac Grove makes catching a quality glimpse of the horizon a tricky task. Despite the difficulty, recently I’ve taken to chasing the sunset. By extension, so have my dogs. If one heads out at the correct moment, with the clouds arranged in an exacting manner, from a specific spot along Grand Avenue, the sun will treat you to a dazzling sight. Skies orange and clouds fiery pink; the sun bounces off windows, leaps into the trees, and makes the leaves smile. Stucco that spends it’s life in beige, steals the fading light and beams as proudly as a pair of cufflinks. Every shade of yellow clamors for my attention…it is a moment I pray traps me.

Turning towards home, the last moments of daylight are now at our backs. Working in his yard, a neighbor rushes to capitalize on the remaining luminescence. A father is teaching his youngster how to ride a bike. I think of my days in the saddle, racing a bicycle. Across the street a lady is involved in her own race; an effort to complete a project involving window trim before darkness sets in. There is pride in completed work. Streetlights turn on. As their glow expands, shadows emerge. Front windows shine like television sets; a lady draws her shades. To not be confused for a peeping tom, I pick up my pace, but expecting my furry friends to do the same is a challenge. I cross Hamline Avenue where folks jockey for a good parking space. The thought of our neighborhood as an “evening out” destination pleases me.

Eventually, the day’s sun disappears, but when gone, is not longed for. The neighborhood is now a play of shadows. Some weeks I meander in the sunset many days; other times I go without. Either way, time is filled, there is no yearning, no remorse for missing the orange and fiery pink skies. We all have sunsets we chase.

Eighteen years is a long time to wait…a lot of sunsets. Hackney Diamonds – if there is any breed of underlying message or guiding wisdom, is to let your goodness flow. Don’t bottle your creativity; be generous! Or fuck it, if you need eighteen years, then take it! After all…tomorrow, next year, or whenever you glance at your record collection – the distance between Hackney Diamonds and A Bigger Bang will be no wider than the space between Beggars Banquet and Sticky Fingers.

Why Hackney Diamonds Succeeds

A crew of heavy hitters contributed to Hackney Diamonds. Paul McCartney, Bill Wyman, Elton John, and Stevie Wonder all pitched in. Despite all these high-profile contributions, it is unmistakenly a Stones album. You might listen to this effort and not recognize the special guests…except for one very special contributor, Lady Gaga. Lending her voice on “Sweet Sounds of Heaven,” Gaga compliments Mick in a manner as profound as Mary Clayton on “Gimme Shelter.” Only a band of the Stones’ caliber could match Lady Gaga’s presence. Gaga sets the song on fire, but “Sweet Sounds of Heaven” is unmistakably a Stones song.

Spare “Depending On You,” Hackney is light. Like a lager on a hot day, it is crisp and refreshing. You won’t walk away from this album in deep contemplation, but you will step away from it with a smile on your face. It is a rock album, a good time. Hackney is perfect for our moment, a reminder that rock and roll is an opportunity to forget about irritancies and other nonsense belching around you. We live in stressful times, there is no denying that, but Hackney Diamonds is relevant in that it is an opportunity to retreat. For 48 minutes you’ll forget about the upcoming election or whatever culture war issue is atop the newsprint. This is an album that creates its own scene. With Hackney Diamonds, the Stones, once again, are firmly in the center of the pop landscape. Numbers like “Whole Wide World,” “Sweet Sounds of Heaven,” “Mess It Up,” and “Dreamy Skies” are just flat-out enjoyable tunes. Tunes that most likely won’t alter your worldview or inspire you to tackle an injustice, but will please your ears and quicken the pace blood travels through your veins.  

                When Hackney arrived, I was nervous. I wondered, “am I holding the final Rolling Stones album?” I think anyone who arrives at Hackney Diamonds pondered some form of the same thought. However, a couple of tracks in, the thought of it being their finale disappeared; replaced by enjoyment of what you are hearing. Ultimately Hackney Diamonds succeeds because you will revisit it and you will be excited for what this “new era” for the Rolling Stones will yield.

Concluding Thoughts and Information About Sources

• Sources:
  • May, 2024 Setlist info retrieved from: https://shop.ronniewood.com/collections/stones-tour-24/products/show-8-gillette-stadium-foxboro-massachusetts-30-may-2024-lithograph
  • A New Era For the Rolling Stones retrieved from Rolling Stone Magazine via Youtube Event with Jimmy Fallon
  • Album info (i.e. release dates, track listings, label info) was retrieved from Hackney’s Wikipedia page
  • Photos, lyrics or quotes from band members are all referenced in the review.                
• Remember – Andy’s Stones is available in print format. Let me know if you’d like a paper copy. Paper subscribers can expect something in the mail very soon. Be sure to note the cool stamp!
• A very sincere thank you to the person who helped me edit this review. I assure you, they had their hands full…it was a bit of a choppy mess!
• Apologies for not hosting a “Stones at the Cinema” event – I haven’t been able to negotiate a desirable time with a local theater. But rest assured…I’m working on it!
• See you sometime next week when I circle back with a Postscript.

Track #TrT	Title	Songwriter	Notes
1	Angry	Jagger/Richards, Andrew Watt	!
2	Get Close	Jagger/Richards
3	Depending On You	Jagger/Richards	+
4	Bite My Head Off	Jagger/Richards	$
5	Whole Wide World	Jagger/Richards	+
6	Dreamy Skies	Jagger/Richards	+
7	Mess It Up	Jagger/Richards	! $
8	Live by the Sword	Jagger/Richards	$
9	Driving Me Too Hard	Jagger/Richards	+
10	Tell Me Straight	Jagger/Richards
11	Sweet Sounds of Heaven	Jagger/Richards	! +
12	Rolling Stone Blues	Muddy Waters

The Rolling Stones, Hackney Diamonds: Released 10/20/2023 by Polydor Records and Geffen Records – reviewed by Andy Trcka of Andy’s Stones

Legend: ! = hit, single or famous track, B = B-side to single, + = top track recommended by Andy’s Stones, $ = notable instrumentation or singing provided by supporting cast member (e.g. Guitar by Paul McCartney or percussion by Charlie Watts)