This January, War Child Records announced that they are releasing their fifth charity album, titled HELP(2), on March 6th, 2026. The album includes a big collection of talented artists like Arctic Monkeys, Fontaines D.C., Depeche Mode, Olivia Rodrigo, and more. It is inspired by their original album, HELP that was released in 1995. War Child works with local communities and governments in over 14 countries including but not limited to Afghanistan, Jordan, Syria, and Uganda, with the mission of helping kids who have lived through discord, with the goal of providing these children with education and protection that will help them secure a brighter future.
After witnessing the ethnic cleansing happening in Bosnia, the organization was started in 1993 by filmmakers David Wilson and Bill Leeson, along with their social entrepreneur Willemijn Verloop. They were horrified by the violence and the effects it had on children caught amidst it, and created the War Child establishment in response (War Child). Over the years, they have started many helpful institutions in a multitude of countries experiencing dispute, released multiple charity albums and have worked closely with the BRIT awards to have the performers contribute to these causes, and in 2020, protected kids in less fortunate areas from Covid-19.
The original charity album from War Child Records, HELP, released in 1995 and raised £1.25 million for the organization. This money was put towards providing necessary services for these children like food, water and shelter. Funds also went to providing education and psychological support for the children (War Child). Paul McCartney, Oasis, Radiohead and Blur are just some of the few of the big artists who featured on the first album. This album was recorded in a single day throughout numerous studios and was released less than a week later. Over the years, more charity albums from War Childs Records have been released, including 1 Love (2002), Hope (2003), and more. These album releases have all raised money for these children and has contributed to the goal of helping them live a better life.
The upcoming album, HELP(2), is set to release on March 6th, 2026 and is already stirring up excitement and curiosity from the artists announced on the tracklist. HELP(2) was recorded throughout one week in November 2025 and the producer, James Ford, worked closely with the famous Abbey Road Studios, known for being The Beatles’s main recording studio for the majority of their discography. The album is expected to meet or exceed the £1.25 million that its predecessor raised (War Child).
The opening track for the album, “Opening Night” by Arctic Monkeys, was released on January 22nd, 2026 and was the band’s first music release since their 2022 album, The Car. The song’s gloomy, moody atmosphere conveys themes of nostalgia and the passage of time with a dramatic, theatrical sense. It debuted at #16 on the UK Singles Chart and has become the band’s highest charting song since 2013 (Official Charts). Several other tracks are being released prior to the album’s official drop, including “Flags” by Damon Albarn, Grian Chatten and Kae Tempest, “Let’s Do It Again!” by The Last Dinner Party, and “Begging for Change” by Pulp.
Alongside the album, there is also a documentary film directed by Academy Award winning-filmmaker Jonathan Glazer being released. The film is the official music video for the last track of the album “The Book of Love” by Olivia Rodrigo, recorded by the children in their homelands. Glazer also worked with filmmakers in countries like Yemen, Gaza and Ukraine to bring a genuine perspective of what living in these areas of conflict is like for the purpose of the film and to spread awareness (War Child). The idea for the film was for it to be “By Children, For Children” as a reminder to the audience about the world these children are living and growing up in. The film is available to watch on War Childs website.
Following the announcement of the album, Rich Clarke, Head of Music at War Child UK stated, “HELP(2) is more than an album. It’s a powerful example of what can happen when the music industry comes together around a shared purpose” (War Child UK, 2026). This expands on the idea that by bringing together these talented artists to contribute to the record, they are one step closer to making sure no child is caught up in conflict. Support the charity by ordering the vinyl/CD, streaming the album on any streaming platform (Spotify, Apple Music, etc.), and purchasing the album through independent record stores. All proceeds of the album will go to helping these children in conflict zones get the protection and education they deserve.
Tracklist:
- 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
Works Cited
“HELP.” War Child, 2025, www.warchild.org.uk/get-involved/war-child-records/help.
“HELP(2).” War Child, 2024, store.warchild.org.uk/collections/help2-homepage?_ga=2.56607659.1806355369.1772936646-1419015304.1772936646. Accessed 28 Apr. 2026.
“Music.” War Child, 2026, www.warchild.org.uk/music. Accessed 28 Apr. 2026.
“OPENING NIGHT.” Official Charts, 5 Feb. 2026, www.officialcharts.com/songs/arctic-monkeys-war-child-opening-night/. Accessed 28 Apr. 2026.
“Our History.” War Child, www.warchild.org.uk/who-we-are/our-history. Accessed 13 Apr. 2023.
Wikipedia Contributors. “Help(2).” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 26 Apr. 2026, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help%282%29.
