Last Thursday, after some cryptic teasing on social media, War Child Records announced ‘HELP(2)’, their upcoming charity album to be released on 6 March. The announcement was marked by the release of Arctic Monkeys’ first single in nearly four years, ‘Opening Night’, which will open the album. All proceeds will go to War Child UK, supporting their work to protect and educate children caught in conflict.
Recorded over a single week in November 2025, ‘HELP(2)’, produced by James Ford, will feature thirty-two incredible artists, from both current favourites to those that we haven’t heard from in years, including Beabadoobee, Depeche Mode, Cameron Winter, Wet Leg, Fontaines D.C., Damon Albarn, Pulp, The Last Dinner Party and Olivia Rodrigo. It is safe to say that the lineup is star-studded, and it is integral that so many stars are giving their platform to this cause, sending a clear message of resistance to those who continue to fuel and prolong such conflicts. The tracklist released signals the album’s social and political concerns, with titles including ‘Begging for Change’, ‘Don’t Fight the Young’ and ‘When the War is Finally Done’. Listeners can likely expect heartfelt emotion, fierce protest and impactful lyricism.
‘Opening Night’, with its visualiser, is a piece of art characteristic of War Child. The single is a natural progression from ‘The Car’ (2022), featuring soulful vocals from Alex Turner and enchanting instrumentals which are reminiscent of Fleetwood Mac. The track seems to prelude the album perfectly, assuring that this is just the beginning.
Alongside the single, they have also released an album trailer (creatively directed by Jonathan Glazer), filmed by children in London, Gaza, Sudan, Ukraine, and Yemen, which features snippets of the recording process. There is something truly special and poignant about seeing the faces of children as a central part of its creative process, reminding us that these are the people for whom all of this is for.
War Child Records is an independent record label created by War Child UK (the only charity specialising in helping children impacted by conflict), which aims to utilise the power of music to change lives. Given that the charity was set up by filmmakers David Wilson and Bill Leeson, it comes as no surprise that art plays a key role in their fundraising.
The label has thirty years of history working with acclaimed artists in the music industry, including David Bowie, George Michael and New Order, and more recently, Dave, English Teacher and Coldplay in a series of albums, projects, and live gigs. Of course, this is not their first ‘HELP’ album, the first being released in 1995, recorded in a single day and famously featuring Radiohead (the track ‘Lucky’ preluding ‘OK Computer’), Oasis, Paul McCartney, Manic Street Preachers, Portishead and more. The 1995 album raised more than £1.25 million for children suffering in the Bosnian conflict, and is still praised as one of the most successful charity albums of all time.
Since then, they have not ceased to produce impactful albums; ‘Hope’ in 2003 brought aid to children in Iraq, and the ‘War Child Heroes’ album in 2009 featured an incredible lineup of iconic covers, consistently proving that art and politics are absolutely intertwined - music can be (and often is) a political statement, a call for action. ‘HELP(2)’ will do this yet again, but featuring many new artists, targeting current issues and bringing War Child Records to a new generation of fans.
War Child Records also has a history of amalgamating music, art and fashion in its fundraising. The annual ‘Sound & Vision’ exhibition and auction (taking its name from Bowie’s hit) epitomises this by inviting artists to create original pieces inspired by song lyrics. 2025’s project was based on Kate Bush’s ‘Running Up That Hill’ and raised over £140,000, with individual pieces raising up to £50,000, really revealing how much artistic projects can fundraise, an amount of money that could do so much for those in need.
Likewise, their ‘Secret 7”’ project selects seven iconic tracks to be pressed onto limited edition 7” records for artists to design unique and exclusive covers for. These projects, like ‘HELP’, harness the power of art, music, and fandom, taking the opportunity to create something beautiful and impactful out of horror, and in doing so raise life-transforming funds, as well as awareness. They have certainly set a strong precedent for ‘HELP(2)’, and there is no doubt that the upcoming album will have a powerful impact.
For the far too many children suffering through war around the world, these projects are not just art; they are a lifeline. Given the devastating suffering taking place in Gaza, Sudan, Ukraine and Yemen today, it is more important than ever to do everything possible to ‘HELP’.
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