Arctic Monkeys has released a new single, “Premiere,” marks their first new music since 2022 The car and launching War Child’s recently announced charity collection HELP(2). The song comes as the start of a project bringing together some of the most influential names in British and global music, all in aid of children affected by conflict.
“Opening Night” was recorded at Abbey Road Studios and produced by James Ford, a long-time Arctic Monkeys collaborator. The song feels measured and reflective, leaning towards the band’s recent fascination with cinematic restraint rather than loud revival. It sets a thoughtful tone too HELP(2)which aims to balance artistic integrity with urgent purpose.
HELP(2) follows the legacy of War Child’s 1995 collection HELPa landmark that captured a defining moment in British music culture while raising money for humanitarian aid. This new edition updates that idea for a broken gift. The album features new material from artists spanning generations and styles, including Olivia Rodrigo, Pulp, Depeche Mode, Fontaines DC, The Last Dinner Party, Beth Gibbons, Big Thief, Wet Leg, Sampha, Foals and Young Fathers. Several songs also pair unexpected collaborators, such as Damon Albarn with Grian Chatten and Kae Tempest, and Beck with Arooj Aftab.
The album took shape during an intense week at Abbey Road in November 2025. Jonathan Glazer oversaw the visual side of the project, working with children inside the studio and in conflict zones, including Ukraine, Gaza, Yemen and Sudan. These images are part of a wider “By Children, For Children” concept that runs through the release.
For Arctic Monkeys, “Opening Night” reads less like a comeback statement and more like a quiet contribution to something bigger. Within the scope of HELP(2)that the restraint feels deliberate. The compilation positions the music not as a spectacle, but as a shared cultural response to ongoing humanitarian crises, reflecting how artists once rallied around things without diluting their creative voice.
HELP(2) will be released on March 6 via War Child Records. Pre-order hereand listen to “Opening Night” below.
Tracklist: HELP(2)
You can check out HELP(2) full tracklist below:
- Arctic Monkeys – “Opening Night”
- Damon Albarn, Grian Chatten and Kae Tempest – “Flags”
- Black Country, New Road – “Strangers”
- The Last Dinner Party – “Let’s do it again!”
- Beth Gibbons – “Sunday Morning”
- Arooj Aftab and Beck – “Lilac Wine”
- King Krule – ‘The 343 Loop’
- Depeche Mode – ‘Universal Soldier’
- Ezra Collective and Greentea Peng – “Helicopters”
- Arlo Parks – “Nothing I Could Hide”
- English Teacher and Graham Coxon – “Parasite”
- Beabadoobee – “Say Yes”
- Big Thief – “Relive, Redie”
- Fontaine’s DC – “Black Boys on Mopeds”
- Cameron Winter – “Warning”
- Young Fathers – “Don’t Fight the Young”
- Pulp – “Begging for Change”
- Sampha – ‘Naboo’
- Wet Leg – “Obvious”
- Foal – ‘When the War is Finally Done’
- Bat For Lashes – “Carried my girl”
- Anna Calvi, Ellie Rowsell, Nilüfer Yanya and Dove Ellis – ‘Sunday Light’
- Olivia Rodrigo – “The Book of Love”
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