With an incredible lineup of artists from Pulp to Olivia Rodrigo, War Child’s second HELP record, HELP(2), is a masterclass in charity albums.
In the current climate, it is particularly apt that War Child Records has returned with a new album to raise critical funds for children in war-torn areas. Inspired by their 1995 landmark release, HELP, which featured the likes of Radiohead, The Stone Roses, Portishead, and Sinéad O’Connor, the sequel album features an equally impressive lineup and some beautiful songs, both old and new. Produced by the acclaimed James Ford (The Last Shadow Puppets, Simian Mobile Disco) and recorded in a single day in November 2025 at Abbey Road studios, HELP(2) is the next in a long line of brilliant collaborations for charity.
The original album was created to raise much-needed emergency funds and awareness for the worsening conflict in Bosnia. Recorded at the pinnacle of Britpop, HELP is known for its impressive grasp on the pulse of British music at the time, cutting across band rivalries and inflated egos for the sake of suffering children. The record label has since provided support for children and their families in crisis worldwide for three decades.
Amid violence that endures across the Middle East, War Child’s record release once again speaks to the urgency of the humanitarian situation today, bringing together leading musicians for such an important cause. Featuring an incredible lineup including Arctic Monkeys, Pulp, Kae Tempest, Big Thief, Depeche Mode and many more, the double-length album is a beautiful, profound collaboration that continues War Child’s work to protect, educate, and stand up for the rights of children living through conflict.
Just as the first album did, HELP(2) manages to unite artists that are emerging, established and at their peak, creating an album that champions craft and nuance over throwing big names at a campaign. Anna Calvi, Nilüfer Yanya, and Dove Ellis collaborate on one such track, a slow, beautifully arranged song called Sunday Light that reflects their talent and the record’s poignancy.
The album features several covers, adding to its majestic scope as talented artists give their renditions of legendary songs. On track 12, Beabadoobee offers a bittersweet cover of Elliott Smith’s “Say Yes” as a tribute to one of her enduring musical inspirations. Beth Gibbons (Portishead) returns for this project with her version of The Velvet Underground classic Sunday Morning, expanding on the original’s wistful, melancholic tones with the ethereality of the theremin in tow. Closing the album, Olivia Rodrigo’s rendition of The Magnetic Fields’ The Book of Love definitely attracts a younger demographic to the cause. However, the sombre love song misses the wry depth of Stephin Merritt’s original vocals in this version.
Among many highlights is Fontaines D.C.’s resonant cover of Black Boys on Mopeds, which carries Sinéad O’Connor’s original, heartfelt intent with spine-chilling continuation, but reshapes it into their own sound. Grian Chatten also joins Damon Albarn and Kae Tempest on the second track, Flags, one of the album’s originals, released in early February. The distinctive voices and styles of the three artists blend well in a track that evokes the same significance as classic heartfelt charity singles.
As expected, HELP(2)’s sound is reflective; sometimes slow and sad, and at other times it attempts an optimistic cadence. In a way, it soundtracks the crisis it is fundraising for, conveying the hope, as well as the terror and ultimate sadness, of the situation in the Middle East. It would not work for a charity record to be entirely bleak, but Cameron Winter’s Warning is an eerie, dark track that carries great power and significance, reminding the listener of the immediate urgency of the global crisis, with no relief in sight. Elsewhere, tracks from The Last Dinner Party and Ezra Collective (featuring Greentea Peng) take a more upbeat approach, breaking up the thoughtful solemnity while maintaining the same message of fighting the struggle.
Across the 23 tracks, War Child Records delivers a constellation of talent, and maps a journey through the fear, grief and hope that mark these conflicts. Each track is well-considered and well-produced, often benefiting from an orchestral arrangement that really adds power to this range of protest songs and meditative pieces. It is a sincere work of meaning and intention that stands out amid the constant virtue-signalling and performative actions that those in the limelight often engage in as global conflict continues to escalate.
HELP(2) is a rare and powerful compilation of yesterday, today and tomorrow’s finest artists, and there is no greater reason for such a collaboration than to raise funds and awareness for those most affected by the state of this broken world.
War Child Records’ HELP(2) is now available to buy and stream.
Track list:
Side A
- 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
Side B
- 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
Side C
- 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
Side D
- Wet Leg – Obvious
- Foals – When The War Is Finally Done
- Bat For Lashes – Carried My Girl
- Anna Calvi, Dove Ellis, Ellie Rowsell & Nilüfer Yanya – Sunday Light
- Olivia Rodrigo – The Book of Love
Bonus Track: Oasis – Acquiesce (Live from Wembley Stadium, 28 September 2025)
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