A star-studded charity album, Help 2, has been recorded at London’s Abbey Road Studios, bringing together over 30 artists including Olivia Rodrigo, Arctic Monkeys, Pulp, and Depeche Mode to support War Child’s efforts for children affected by conflict. The tracklist was unveiled recently, marking a significant milestone in this collaborative project.
The recording took place over one week in November 2025, where artists gathered to contribute 23 tracks. During the sessions, impromptu collaborations emerged, such as Damon Albarn working with Johnny Marr, Kae Tempest, and Grian Chatten, while Olivia Rodrigo teamed up with Graham Coxon for a cover of “The Book of Love.” The atmosphere was lively, with five studios in use simultaneously, fostering a sense of community and creativity.
Help 2 is a spiritual successor to the 1995 Help album, which featured Britpop icons like Oasis and Blur. That original release raised nearly £1.25 million, and three decades later, the need for support has grown dramatically. Today, approximately 520 million children—almost one in five globally—are impacted by war, a figure higher than any time since World War II, underscoring the urgency of War Child’s mission.
Artists involved expressed their commitment to the cause. Arctic Monkeys shared that contributing a new song, “Opening Night,” felt like a call to arms, while Pulp’s Jarvis Cocker highlighted the album’s potential to inspire positive change amid global crises. Producer James Ford described the experience as “life-affirming,” emphasizing the power of the music community uniting for a common good.
A unique aspect of the recording was the involvement of a film crew of children, aged eight to ten, who documented the process under Bafta-winning director Jonathan Glazer. This approach connected the music directly to the young beneficiaries, adding an authentic and heartfelt dimension to the project. Jarvis Cocker noted that their presence, though initially daunting, ultimately made the sessions more liberating and spontaneous.
The album will be released on March 6, 2026, with pre-orders available now. Thanks to donations from record labels and pressing plants, all profits from sales will go directly to War Child, supporting their work in providing aid, education, and mental health services to children in conflict zones. The double vinyl is priced around £26, making it accessible to a wide audience.
Help 2 not only aims to raise funds but also to increase awareness about the plight of children in war. Rich Clarke, War Child’s head of music, stated that the project has galvanized the creative community, with more tracks recorded than could fit on the album. This enthusiasm reflects a broader desire among artists to make a tangible difference in the world.
In closing, Help 2 stands as a testament to the enduring power of music to bring people together for humanitarian causes. As Olivia Rodrigo’s closing track offers a message of love and redemption, the album leaves listeners with hope and a call to action, reminding us of the collective responsibility to protect the most vulnerable in times of conflict.
