Arctic Monkeys Lead Star-Studded HELP2 Charity Album

On January 22, 2026, the Arctic Monkeys broke their four-year musical silence with the release of "Opening Night," a brooding, lushly arranged track that marks their first new song since their 2022 album The Car. But this isn’t just another single drop: "Opening Night" is the lead track for HELP(2), an ambitious charity compilation from War Child Records that’s set to arrive on March 6, 2026. The project, which brings together an extraordinary lineup of artists, aims to raise both funds and awareness for War Child UK’s vital mission—supporting children affected by conflict around the globe.

According to Consequence, HELP(2) is a direct sequel to the landmark 1995 charity album HELP, which famously featured Oasis, Radiohead, Blur, and Sinéad O’Connor. That original release raised £1.2 million for War Child and helped thousands of children caught in the Bosnian conflict. Fast forward to today, and the stakes are even higher: as reported by DIY Magazine, an estimated 520 million children are now living through war—almost double the figure from 1995, and the highest number since the Second World War.

Produced by James Ford and recorded at the legendary Abbey Road Studios over just one week in November 2025, HELP(2) is a testament to both the urgency of the cause and the collaborative spirit of the music community. Ford, reflecting on the project, shared, "I felt incredibly honored when War Child asked me to work on HELP(2). The original HELP meant a lot to me and to have the opportunity, given the current news cycle, to help galvanize our music community into doing something as unarguably positive as helping children in war zones seemed like a no brainer. The experience of making the album itself has been very powerful, and dare I say life affirming for me personally, against the backdrop of a very difficult year. I’m extremely proud of the results and of the efforts made by all involved. I can’t wait for people to hear this very special record."

The album’s roster reads like a who’s who of contemporary music. Alongside Arctic Monkeys, listeners will find Olivia Rodrigo covering The Magnetic Fields’ "The Book of Love," Fontaines D.C. reimagining Sinéad O’Connor’s "Black Boys on Mopeds," and new contributions from Damon Albarn, Beabadoobee, Foals, Depeche Mode, Pulp, Big Thief, Wet Leg, Beth Gibbons, Arooj Aftab and Beck, Arlo Parks, The Last Dinner Party, Sampha, Young Fathers, English Teacher, Kae Tempest, Black Country, New Road, King Krule, and many more. The collaborative nature of the sessions led to unique musical moments—such as Damon Albarn, Grian Chatten, and Kae Tempest forming a supergroup with Johnny Marr, Dave Okumu, Adrian Utley, Seye Adelekan, and Femi Koleoso, backed by an all-star choir including Jarvis Cocker and Carl Barat, as reported by Rock Cellar Magazine.

Olivia Rodrigo’s track, for instance, features Graham Coxon on guitar, while Wolf Alice’s Ellie Rowsell joined Anna Calvi, Nilüfer Yanya, and Dove Ellis for the song "Sunday Light," having received an invite to perform on the very day of recording. Even last-minute additions, like Cameron Winter’s collaboration with cellist Amy Langley, found a place in the whirlwind week at Abbey Road.

Arctic Monkeys themselves expressed pride in joining the cause, stating, "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." Their words echo the sentiment of many artists involved, who see their participation not just as a musical endeavor but as a moral imperative in a world where, as DIY Magazine notes, the number of children affected by conflict is at a historic high.

But HELP(2) isn’t stopping at music. The album comes with a companion film, directed by Academy Award-winner Jonathan Glazer. Inspired by the concept "By Children, For Children," Glazer’s team handed cameras to children in both the recording studios and conflict zones—Ukraine, Gaza, Yemen, and Sudan—allowing them to capture the creative process and their own realities, unfiltered and unrestricted. As Rock Cellar Magazine explains, this approach connects the album’s audience directly to the children it seeks to help, serving as a poignant reminder of the stakes involved. Glazer and War Child have already released a preview of the film, offering a glimpse into both the artistry and the urgent humanitarian message behind the project.

War Child UK itself has spent more than 30 years working to ensure a safe future for children affected by war. Operating across 14 countries in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America, the organization combines rapid emergency response with long-term recovery, education, and psychological support. Their teams are on the ground in communities and refugee camps, creating safe spaces for children to play, learn, and heal. As Consequence and Rock Cellar Magazine detail, War Child UK also advocates for children’s rights and campaigns on the root causes of conflict, amplifying the voices of young people and striving for systemic change.

All proceeds from HELP(2) will go directly to War Child UK, supporting their efforts to protect, educate, and provide psychological support to children who have lost so much to war. The album, available for pre-order now, offers listeners a way to engage with the cause—not just by enjoying new music from some of today’s most compelling artists, but by contributing to a brighter future for vulnerable children worldwide.

For many, HELP(2) stands as a hopeful answer to an overwhelming crisis—a reminder that, even in dark times, music and collective action can make a tangible difference. As the world waits for the album’s release on March 6, 2026, the message is clear: every voice, every song, and every act of solidarity counts.