The Rolling Stones have returned to the Billboard rankings with a strong new entry, but the band stopped just short of the top spot. Their album Foreign Tongues opens at No. 2 on the Top Rock Albums chart, held back by Noah Kahan’s The Great Divide, which remains one of 2026’s standout releases.
For a band with one of the longest and most successful careers in rock, a No. 2 debut is still a notable result. Even so, the chart showing means the Stones do not add another No. 1 to their record on this particular Billboard ranking, as Kahan’s album continues to outperform newer competition.
The result also highlights the unusual chart landscape in 2026, where established acts and current hitmakers are competing directly for top positions. Noah Kahan’s continued strength suggests The Great Divide is still drawing enough attention to keep major veteran releases from reaching the summit.
Foreign Tongues arriving near the top of the chart reinforces the Rolling Stones’ lasting commercial pull. While the band misses out on first place this time, the No. 2 debut shows there is still significant interest in new music from the rock icons.
