Right thenโฆ how is it physically possible that The Rolling Stones still sound cooler than bands a quarter of their age? ๐ ๐บ
At this point, Mick Jagger probably runs entirely on black coffee, swagger, and ancient rock โnโ roll magic stolen from a crossroads somewhere in the 1960s.
With new tracks Rough and Twisted and In The Stars, the legendary rock icons once again prove theyโre not interested in quietly fading into the background. Nah mun โ theyโre still strutting into the room wearing sunglasses indoors and reminding everyone exactly why they became the greatest rock โnโ roll band on the planet in the first place. ๐ค๐ฅ
And honestly?
These tracks absolutely slap.
โก ROUGH AND TWISTED โ DIRTY, SWEATY ROCK โNโ ROLL CHAOS
Rough and Twisted sounds like it crawled out of a smoke-filled blues bar at 3am carrying a bottle of bourbon and several terrible life decisions. ๐ป๐
Itโs grimy.
Itโs swaggering.
Itโs gloriously loose in all the right ways.
Keith Richardsโ guitar tone here is absolutely dripping with attitude โ ragged, bluesy, and packed with that unmistakable Stones groove that somehow still nobody else can replicate properly.
The riff lumbers along with this dangerous little swagger while Charlie Wattsโ spirit feels embedded into every beat of the song. Thereโs an old-school looseness to it all that makes the track feel alive rather than overproduced.
And Mick?
Still outrageous.
The man sounds like heโs having the time of his life sneering through every lyric with that trademark grin you can practically hear through the speakers. ๐ค๐ฅ
Thereโs something wonderfully unapologetic about Rough and Twisted. It doesnโt try to sound modern. It doesnโt chase trends.
It just sounds like The Stones.
And thatโs more than enough.
๐ IN THE STARS โ THE STONES GET EMOTIONAL
Then comes In The Stars โ a track that slows things down slightly and delivers one of the most heartfelt moments the band have produced in years.
And blimeyโฆ this one hits different. ๐คโจ
Where Rough and Twisted swaggers into the pub throwing punches, In The Stars feels like the quiet conversation outside afterwards while staring into the night sky wondering where all the years went.
The melody is gorgeous.
The instrumentation feels warm and cinematic.
And Mick delivers the vocals with a surprising tenderness that genuinely catches you off guard.
Keithโs guitar work throughout is absolutely stunning too โ subtle, emotional, and soaked in feeling rather than flashiness.
No shredding.
No nonsense.
Just soul.
Thereโs a real sense of reflection running through the track, almost like the band looking back across decades of madness, fame, excess, heartbreak, survival, and endless miles on the road.
And somehowโฆ it never feels forced.
๐บ TWO SIDES OF THE SAME LEGEND
Thatโs what makes these songs work so brilliantly together.
One track reminds you why The Rolling Stones became the kings of swaggering rock โnโ roll excessโฆ
while the other reminds you why theyโve endured for generations.
They still understand:
- groove ๐ธ
- emotion ๐ค
- atmosphere ๐
- attitude ๐
- and the simple magic of a great song
Not many bands survive this long without becoming a parody of themselves.
The Stones somehow remain untouchably cool.
Honestly, itโs getting suspicious at this point. ๐ ๐ฅ
๐ค RIFF REPORT FINAL VERDICT
Rough and Twisted is dirty bar-room rock โnโ roll done properly.
In The Stars is reflective, emotional, and beautifully written.
Together, they show that The Rolling Stones can still deliver grit, soul, swagger, and songwriting magic better than most bands half their age.
Legends for a reason, butt. ๐ค๐บ
โญ RIFF REPORT RATING โญ
Rough and Twisted ๐ช๏ธ
โญโญโญโญโญ
โLike stumbling into the worldโs coolest dive bar and accidentally starting a fight with a jukebox.โ
In The Stars ๐
โญโญโญโญยฝ
โA beautiful midnight slow-burn from rock royalty whoโve truly seen it all.โ ๐ธโจ
Michael is the founder, editor, and chief riff wrangler behind The Riff Report, an independent Welsh rock and metal publication built by fans, for fans. With a lifelong passion for loud guitars, unforgettable live shows, and the incredible community that surrounds rock and metal, he created The Riff Report to celebrate everything that makes the scene specialโfrom legendary headline acts and grassroots venues to rising bands that deserve to be heard.
A familiar face at festivals across the UK, Michael spends much of the year covering events including Download Festival, Bloodstock Open Air, Steelhouse Festival, Firevolt, Plumpton Revival, and many more. Whether heโs battling the Welsh weather on a mountainside, surviving a weekend in a muddy campsite, or squeezed against the front barrier with thousands of fellow fans, heโs always searching for the next great story to share.
As editor of The Riff Report, Michael writes festival guides, breaking news, album reviews, gig reviews, interviews, opinion pieces, nostalgia features, and behind-the-scenes stories from across the rock and metal world. His writing combines honest opinions, humour, and a genuine love for live music, bringing readers closer to the bands, festivals, venues, and people that keep the scene alive.
Michael is particularly passionate about supporting independent artists, local venues, charities, and the wider UK rock and metal community. He believes every band deserves a chance to be discovered and every festival has a story worth telling. Through The Riff Report, he aims to shine a spotlight on both the biggest names in rock and the future stars waiting to break through.
When heโs not writing or interviewing artists, youโll probably find him exploring festival campsites, photographing live shows, chatting with fellow fans over a pint, or planning the next road trip in search of more riffs, bigger crowds, and unforgettable moments.
Above all, Michael believes rock and metal are about more than musicโtheyโre about community, friendship, and creating memories that last a lifetime. Thatโs exactly what The Riff Report exists to celebrate.
Proudly Welsh. Proudly Loud. Always chasing the next great riff. ๐ค
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