Arctic Monkeys return with new War Child charity single Opening Night – Music News

Arctic Monkeys have returned with the track, Opening Night, the first single from War Child Records’ newly announced charity album HELP(2).

HELP(2) is inspired by the original HELP album released in 1995, which raised more than £1.2 million for children affected by the Bosnian conflict. Three decades on, the humanitarian need has intensified, with nearly one in five children worldwide now living in conflict zones.

HELP(2) will be released on March 6 via War Child Records, with proceeds supporting the charity’s work delivering emergency aid, education, mental health support and protection to children impacted by war across the globe.

Recorded predominantly over a single extraordinary week at Abbey Road Studios in November 2025, the album was overseen by acclaimed producer James Ford, who helped guide a diverse and ambitious collective of artists through an intense and deeply collaborative process.

Joining Alex Turner and co for the project were Anna Calvi, Arlo Parks, Beck, Beth Gibbons, Big Thief, Damon Albarn, Depeche Mode, Foals, Fontaines D.C., Greentea Peng, Olivia Rodrigo, Pulp, Sampha, Wet Leg, Young Fathers, and many more.

Damon Albarn’s recording of Flags saw him joined by Johnny Marr, Kae Tempest and Grian Chatten, while Olivia Rodrigo was paired with Graham Coxon for her version of The Book of Love.

Arctic Monkeys – who haven’t released new music since their 2022 LP The Car – said: “When 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. 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.”

Award-winning filmmaker Jonathan Glazer served as Creative Director, overseeing a striking visual concept titled By Children, For Children. Cameras were handed to children both inside the studios and in conflict zones including Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan and Yemen, connecting the music directly to the lives it aims to protect.

Rich Clarke, Head of Music at War Child UK, described HELP(2) as “more than an album”, calling it a powerful example of the music industry uniting around a shared humanitarian purpose.

Led originally by Brian Eno, the first HELP album became one of the most celebrated charity records ever made.