Thirty years after the original HELP album raised £1.2 million for children in the Bosnian conflict, War Child has announced a powerful successor. HELP(2) is set for release on March 6, arriving at a critical time when an estimated 520 million children are living through war, nearly double the number recorded in 1995. Arctic Monkeys lead the charge with the project’s first single, “Opening Night,” a track born from a session at Abbey Road Studios specifically for this cause.
Regarding their involvement, Arctic Monkeys shared:
“When James Ford called and asked if we’d contribute to the ‘HELP(2)’ album, we set to work on a song idea and assembled in Abbey Road to record it. We are proud to support the invaluable work War Child do and hope the record will make a positive difference to the lives of children affected by war.”
The album, produced by the prolific James Ford, was largely recorded in a single week and features a staggering lineup of modern icons and indie heavyweights. Collaborative highlights include Damon Albarn teaming up with Grian Chatten and Kae Tempest, as well as English Teacher joining forces with Graham Coxon. The tracklist also boasts contributions from Olivia Rodrigo, Pulp, Fontaines D.C., Big Thief, and Wet Leg, making it one of the most significant charity releases in decades.
Beyond the music, the project features creative direction from Academy Award-winning filmmaker Jonathan Glazer (The Zone of Interest). Under his “By Children, For Children” concept, cameras were given to children and filmmakers in conflict zones, including Gaza, Ukraine, Yemen, and Sudan, allowing them to document their own world.
The full tracklist for HELP (2) is as follows:
Arctic Monkeys – Opening Night
Damon Albarn, Grian Chatten & Kae Tempest – Flags
Black Country, New Road – Strangers
The Last Dinner Party – Let’s do it again!
Beth Gibbons – Sunday Morning
Arooj Aftab & Beck – Lilac Wine
King Krule – The 343 Loop
Depeche Mode – Universal Soldier
Ezra Collective & Greentea Peng – Helicopters
Arlo Parks – Nothing I Could Hide
English Teacher & Graham Coxon – Parasite
Beabadoobee – Say Yes
Big Thief – Relive, Redie
Fontaines D.C. – Black Boys on Mopeds
Cameron Winter – Warning
Young Fathers – Don’t Fight the Young
Pulp – Begging for Change
Sampha – Naboo
Wet Leg – Obvious
Foals – When the War is Finally Done
Bat For Lashes – Carried my girl
Anna Calvi, Ellie Rowsell, Nilüfer Yanya & Dove Ellis – Sunday Light
Olivia Rodrigo – The Book of Love
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