War Child Records – Help (2)

War Child Records – Help (2)

"HELP(2)" is the new edition of one of the most impressive charity campaigns in recent music history. Back in 1995, the greats of the British music scene joined forces to help children in war zones with the proceeds of the joint HELP compilation. In 2026, the global situation is still devastating.

Inspired by the legendary charity compilation HELP from 1995, a community project has once again formed in the UK, supported by some of the most important musicians of our time. The aim is to record a worthy successor in these turbulent times: "HELP(2)". As with the original, which featured the likes of Radiohead, Oasis, Portishead, The Chemical Brothers, Massive Attack and Blur, "HELP(2)" brings people together to support the vital work of War Child: rapid emergency relief, education, specialized psychosocial support and protection for children affected by war and conflict around the world. The album draws attention to the dramatic fact that one in five children in the world today lives in a war zone.

The original HELP album was recorded in a single day and raised over £1.2 million. With these funds, War Child was able to help thousands of children during the Bosnian war. Critics at the time called it "the best charity album of all time". "HELP(2)" consciously builds on this legacy, underlines the continuing urgency of the issue and makes an urgent appeal to the solidarity of all people. 
The new album was created during an extraordinary week of recording in November 2025 in close collaboration with Abbey Road Studios. 
The award-winning producer James Ford acted as executive producer.

"HELP(2)" brings together an impressive list of international artists, including Anna Calvi, Arctic Monkeys, Arlo Parks, Arooj Aftab, Bat For Lashes, Beabadoobee, Beck, Beth Gibbons, Big Thief, Black Country, New Road, Damon Albarn, Depeche Mode, Foals, Fontaines D.C., Graham Coxon, Greentea Peng, Kae Tempest, King Krule, Nilüfer Yanya, Olivia Rodrigo, Pulp, Sampha, The Last Dinner Party, Wet Leg, Young Fathers - as well as many other helping hands. The creative direction of the project is in the hands of renowned filmmaker and Academy Award winner Jonathan Glazer and his team at Academy Films, who played a key role in both the visual realization and the artistic design of "HELP(2)".

All proceeds from the album will go to War Child UK to support the protection, education and rights of children in conflict zones around the world. "HELP(2)" stands for hope - for children whose lives have been destroyed by war - and for the power of collective action. It is an impressive sign of solidarity by artists for a safer and fairer future. 
Because no child should ever be part of a war.

Tracklist:
1. Arctic Monkeys – Opening Night
2. Damon Albarn, Grian Chatten & Kae Tempest – Flags
3. Black Country, New Road – Strangers
4. The Last Dinner Party – Let’s do it again!
5. Beth Gibbons – Sunday Morning
6. Arooj Aftab & Beck – Lilac Wine
7. King Krule – The 343 Loop
8. Depeche Mode – Universal Soldier
9. Ezra Collective & Greentea Peng – Helicopters
10. Arlo Parks – Nothing I Could Hide
11. English Teacher & Graham Coxon – Parasite
12. Beabadoobee – Say Yes
13. Big Thief – Relive, Redie
14. Fontaines D.C. – Black Boys on Mopeds
15. Cameron Winter – Warning
16. Young Fathers – Don’t Fight the Young
17. Pulp – Begging for Change
18. Sampha – Naboo
19. Wet Leg – Obvious
20. Foals – When the War is Finally Done
21. Bat For Lashes – Carried my girl
22. Anna Calvi, Ellie Rowsell, Nilüfer Yanya & Dove Ellis – Sunday Light
23. Olivia Rodrigo – The Book of Love

Label: War Child
Released: 2026