Keith Richards, 79, says The Rolling Stones ‘have another album in them’ after rock veterans released their first collection of new music in 18-years

Keith Richards says The Rolling Stones have enough surplus material to record another album after releasing their first collection of new songs in 18 years.

The rock veterans surprised fans with the unexpected release of Hackney Diamonds, their twenty-fourth British studio album, on October 20.

The twelve-track LP is their first original album since the release of 2005’s A Bigger Bang and comes just sixteen months after the death of drummer Charlie Watts.

And Richards, 79, says fans won’t have to wait too long for more new music from the band, having demoed numerous songs during the recording of Hackney Diamonds.

“I think we’ll think about it carefully as we recover from Hackney Diamonds,” he told Matt Wilkinson on Apple 1.

They’re back: the rock veterans surprised fans with the unexpected release of Hackney Diamonds, their twenty-fourth British studio album, on October 20

“But the reason these twelve are on there is because these are the best. Moreover, you have to draw the line somewhere. Some of them are good because they are not quite ready yet, but they still need some work.

“But there’s one more in there, I think, with a few more additions. But like I said, let me get this out of the way right now, man.”

The new album comes with a handful of surprise guest appearances, most notably from Motown legend Stevie Wonder, pop pioneer Lady Gaga and former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney.

Reflecting on their collaboration with McCartney, a close friend since their emergence in the early 1960s, he said: ‘I felt like it was time to bleed. I’ve known Paul for about 60 years. Although he and John (Lennon) did some backing vocals for us in the 60s.

‘Super fun to play with. At the end I just said, ‘Well, that’s just like old times.'”

While McCartney’s involvement was planned, Gaga’s contribution – the American singer provides vocals on album track Sweet Sounds of Heaven – was completely unexpected.

“The thing is, it was such a spontaneous and organic session,” Richards explained. ‘We knew Stevie (Wonder) was coming over and I think Gaga only came over because she happened to be working in a studio across the hall and just walked in, in the middle of recording, and felt her way in started working.

“Playing with Stevie is always breathtaking and I thought Lady did a fantastic job, man. She weaved her way in and took over and gave as good as she could with Mick and it was a lot of fun.”

Joining in: Lady Gaga (pictured on stage with the band) is one of several collaborators who will appear on the new album

Revival: Richards says fans won’t have to wait too long for more new music from the band as they demoed numerous songs while recording Hackney Diamonds

The guitarist, who recently revealed his arthritis forced him to change the way he strums, also claimed modern music is too “synthesized.”

He told The Independent: ‘The only way to end a band is to put the boys in a room and play and look each other in the eye.

‘Don’t get me started on modern music. Drums with push buttons and everything is synthesized. Digital recording is a one-way toilet.”

Richards has spoken out against electronic music, labeling it ‘cheap’ and ‘nonsense’. He said, “I like to hear music from people who play instruments.”

The decision to return to the studio came when frontman Jagger suggested it at the end of the group’s 60th anniversary tour last year.

“I have to commend Mick for this push,” Richards said. “He said, ‘Come on, we just gotta do something… we gotta make a record.’