Photo by Santiago Bluguermann/Getty Images
Arctic Monkeys is back with their first single since 2022 with "Opening Night”, the first single from HELP(2), a star-studded compilation album that is raising money for global children’s charity War Child UK.
The British band is joined by an impressive collective of musicians, which includes Cameron Winter Olivia Rodrigo, Beabadoobee, Damon Albarn, Pulp, Depeche Mode, Big Thief, Wet Leg, Dove Ellis and more. The full record will be released on March 6th via War Child Records.
Listen to the new Arctic Monkeys single, here.
What inspired HELP(2)?
HELP(2) is inspired by the 1995 multi-artist charity album HELP, which was led by Brian Eno and featured Oasis, Blur, Radiohead, Massive Attack, Portishead, Sinéad O’Connor, Paul McCartney, Paul Weller and more. That album, recorded over a single day in 1995, raised over £1.2 million for War Child UK to support the thousands of children caught in the Bosnian conflict.
How was HELP(2) recorded?
HELP(2) mirrors the process behind HELP and was recorded in one eventful, highly collaborative week — this time in Abbey Road Studios.
"When [producer] 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," the Arctic Monkeys shared in a statement. "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.”
Academy Award-winner and Zone of Interest director Jonathan Glazer acted as Creative Director for HELP(2), filming the studio behind the scenes. Following a “By Children, For Children” concept, Glazer's team handed their cameras over to children to document the creative process behind the record.
In addition, Glazer’s team worked with filmmakers in Ukraine, Gaza, Yemen, and Sudan to gather footage filmed by children in some of the world's most dangerous conflict zones.
What is HELP(2) raising money for?
HELP(2) is raising funds for War Child UK, which helps children living in conflict zones. The charity delivers vital medical care and educational resources to children in 14 countries across the globe, including in Sudan, Gaza, Ukraine, Syria, and more
‘HELP(2)’ 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”
HELP(2) Artwork by Jonathan Glazer
