Hackney Diamonds

Lore & Background

The Rolling Stones had not released a studio album of original material since A Bigger Bang in 2005. Sessions for new music stalled repeatedly, with factors including Mick Jagger's lack of enthusiasm and Keith Richards adapting his playing due to arthritis. The band released occasional tracks such as 'Doom and Gloom' and 'One More Shot' for the compilation GRRR! in 2012 and the 2020 single 'Living in a Ghost Town' during the COVID-19 pandemic. Studio work beginning in 2020 was interrupted by the pandemic, and sessions in 2021 yielded completed songs but lost momentum. Jagger proposed a due date of 14 February 2023 to Richards after touring ended in August 2022. Richards credited Charlie Watts's death as the impetus to finish an album.

In mid-2022, Paul McCartney suggested producer Andrew Watt to guitarist Ronnie Wood. The band invited Watt to see them perform at Electric Lady Studios in late 2022, and he took over recording at Henson Recording Studios in Los Angeles by November. Principal recording lasted about four weeks, followed by two weeks of overdubs, with Jagger's vocals recorded separately after guitar work was finished. Former bassist Bill Wyman recorded with the band for the first time in 30 years based on a recommendation by Watt. The album includes 2019 sessions with Watts's last studio work and the band's first studio work with drummer Steve Jordan. Final recording began in December 2022, with 23 total tracks finished in January 2023 and mixing done in late February or early March. The band had enough material for a follow-up album, estimated 75% done by the time Hackney Diamonds was released.

The album's name is London slang for shattered glass left after burglars have smashed a window, Hackney being an inner-city area historically associated with a high crime rate. Richards stated it refers to broken glass left over after 'a good Saturday night that went bad'. Long-time bass guitarist Darryl Jones worked on sessions but does not appear on the final album, making Hackney Diamonds the first studio album since 1989's Steel Wheels not to feature his recorded contributions.

Reader's Guide

Hackney Diamonds received positive reviews, with some critics considering it the band's strongest album in decades. It was promoted by the singles 'Angry', 'Sweet Sounds of Heaven', and 'Mess It Up'. The album reached number one in 20 countries, including the UK, Austria, Australia, Greece, Argentina, the Netherlands and Germany. It was the 14th Rolling Stones album to top the UK Albums Chart, in its first week and again on 22 December, making it the first Rolling Stones Christmas number one album. It was certified gold in several countries and platinum in Austria, France, and Germany. The Rolling Stones embarked on the Hackney Diamonds Tour in support of the album in 2024. The album won the award for Best Rock Album at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards.

The album's significance lies in its role as the first collection of new original material from the Rolling Stones in 18 years, marking a late-career resurgence. It also serves as a tribute to Charlie Watts, whose final studio recordings appear on the album. The extensive marketing campaign included a livestream from the Hackney Empire Theatre, a fashion line by Paul Smith, and special edition vinyl covers. The album's title and cover art reflect a gritty, street-level aesthetic, while the inclusion of guest musicians from multiple generations underscores the band's enduring influence and ability to collaborate across eras.

Did You Know?

• The album's name is London slang for shattered glass left after a burglary, referencing the Hackney area's historical association with high crime.
• Charlie Watts contributed to some tracks in 2019, making this his final studio work with the Rolling Stones.
• Paul McCartney played bass guitar on two songs and also suggested producer Andrew Watt to the band.
• The album includes a cover of Muddy Waters' 'Rolling Stone Blues', which the band had never previously released.