Rolling Stones 'Hackney Diamonds' Album Review - 8/10

The Rolling Stones' "Hackney Diamonds," da aka gabatar da Oktoba 20, 2023, ta hanyar Polydor Records, ne mai tsawo na 12 shirye-shirye wanda ya gabatar da ƙananan matsakaici na band a kan rock 'n' roll. Wannan shi ne na farko na asali shirye-shirye bayan 2005 na "A Bigger Bang," da shi ya gabatarwa tare da yanzu yayin da ya gabatar da mahimmanci.

"Hackney Diamonds" track list ne kamar wannan:

1. "Angry"
2. "Get Close" (Feat. Elton John)
3. "Depending On You"
4. "Bite My Head Off"@@ (Feat. Paul McCartney)
5. "Whole Wide World"
6. "Dreamy Skies"
7. "Mess It Up"
8. "Live by the Sword" (Feat. Bill Wyman, Charlie Watts & Elton John)
9. "Driving Me Too Hard"@
10. "Tell Me Straight"
11. "Sweet Sounds of Heaven" (Feat. Lady Gaga & Stevie Wonder)
12. "Rolling Stone Blues"

The album commences with "Angry," a song that sets the stage with its untamed energy. Mick Jagger's vocals are both defiant and introspective, especially when he sings, "Voices keep echoing, calling out my name / Hear the rain keep beating on my window pane." It's a track that serves as a prologue to the album's emotional narrative.

Tuntuɓi shi ne "Get Close,"@@ tare da Elton John, wanda ya ba da wani m, mafi m counterpoint. The lyrics, "I tafiya cikin birnin a cikin gini tare da kwanan nan da aka riga," duba a cikin kwanan kimiyya da nostalgia, wanda ya gabatar da damar da Stones za su tafi a cikin jima'i.

"Bite My Head Off," featuring Paul McCartney, ne mai ban sha'awa ga aikace-aikace na British Invasion. Yana ƙirƙirar wani tsari na tsari da nostalgia, tare da lyrics kamar "Yeah, idan na yi wani dog / Yeah, za ka tsakiyar ni," wanda ke ƙirƙirar wani matsaloli na lokaci.

"Whole Wide World" da "Dreamy Skies@" yana aiki a matsayin kwarewa na album, samar da wani kwarewa a cikin jima'i na band. Lyrics kamar "When da dukan duniya ne a kanka / Kuma ka yi a cikin haske," encapsulate da band ta iya buga jima'i.

Ma'aikace-aikace suna daidai da "Mess It Up" da "Driving Me Too Hard," wanda ya tafi Stones har zuwa hanyoyin blues. Lyrics kamar "You steal my numbers, you stole my codes," daga "Mess It Up," explore themes of betrayal and emotional fatigue.

"Live by the Sword," featuring Bill Wyman and the late Charlie Watts, serves as a poignant nod to the band's history. The song's lyrics, "If you live by the sword, gonna die by the sword," emphasize the irreplaceable roles of each member in the band's legacy.

The album concludes with "Rolling Stone Blues," a tribute to the Muddy Waters track that gave the band its name. The lyrics, "Well, I wish I was a catfish / Swimming in the deep blue sea," encapsulate their journey from blues enthusiasts to rock 'n' roll legends.

Keith Richards and Ron Wood's guitar craftsmanship is both detailed and expansive, delivering the iconic riffs that fans have come to expect from the Stones. The rhythm section, featuring the late Charlie Watts on select tracks and Steve Jordan as a stand-in, lays down a sturdy base that allows for musical exploration.

Guest contributions from Lady Gaga, Stevie Wonder, Elton John, and Paul McCartney amplify the album into a collective musical venture. Lady Gaga's input on "Sweet Sound of Heaven," with lyrics like "Everyone is asking questions, yeah / I got one or two," provides a modern juxtaposition to the Stones' classic aura.

"Hackney Diamonds" holds personal significance for the band, with tracks featuring the late Charlie Watts serving both as a tribute and a reminder of his irreplaceable contribution. Critics have lauded the album for its capacity to resonate with a diverse audience while preserving the Stones' iconic sound. This is an album that challenges musical and societal norms, affirming that the Stones are still a dynamic entity.

On a scale from 1 to 10, "Hackney Diamonds" confidently lands at 8 for us. The Rolling Stones demonstrate that they're not just enduring but are a thriving entity, continually pushing the envelope and cementing their nearly six-decade-long iconic status.