More about: The Rolling Stones

According to no less an authority than Keith Richards, The Rolling Stones are set to return to the studio “very shortly” to begin work on their first album of original material since 2005’s A Bigger Bang.

The 73-year-old guitarist confirmed that the band are back on track after making their unexpected detour into blues covers with the 2016 hit album, Blue And Lonesome. Speculation has been rife that new material will be forthcoming after the band was spotted hanging around recording studios in London and New York. Their contract with Universal has also been extended to include another album.

Taking part in an edition of his webcast, Ask Keith Richards, the Human Riff was responding to the query, “Are you inspired to get back in the studio with the Stones and do some more recording?”

“Yes, we are - very, very shortly,” he replied. “Cutting some new stuff and considering where to take it next. Blue And Lonesome caught us a little bit by surprise in that we figured it was something we had to do, but we didn’t expect the response.”

The album, which topped the charts in the UK and peaked at No. 4 in the US charts, received some of the best reviews since the early 1980s. Understandably there has been speculation of a follow-up album of further blues covers but Richards isn’t one to make such an obvious move.

“I don’t think we’re going to sucker into that straight away,” he said. “But it wouldn’t take a twist of the arm to do some more of that. It’s such fun to record, and there’s plenty more where that came from.”

He went on to say the album had given them a “boost to their energy” and that it had encouraged their “viability”. That energy is much in evidence. As previously reported on Gigwise, The Rolling Stones will embark on a 12-date European tour in September and October.

More about: The Rolling Stones