Arctic Monkeys Return With First New Music Since 2022 on War Child Charity Album HELP(2)
- Desh Kapur
- Jan 22
- 2 min read
Arctic Monkeys are back. The Sheffield indie titans have released their first new track in four years, unveiling ‘Opening Night’ as part of HELP(2), a major new charity compilation album raising funds for War Child, supporting children affected by conflict around the world.
‘Opening Night’ opens the album in fittingly theatrical fashion, marking the band’s first official release since 2022’s The Car. Sparse, cinematic and unmistakably Monkeys, the track signals a low-key but meaningful return — not with a bombastic comeback single, but with a song tied to a cause that stretches far beyond the band themselves.
The album is a sequel to War Child’s seminal 1995 release HELP, which arrived at the height of the Bosnian War and featured era-defining contributions from Radiohead, Sinéad O’Connor and a supergroup made up of Paul McCartney, Noel Gallagher and Paul Weller. The original record went on to raise £1.2 million, becoming a landmark moment for music-led activism.
Nearly three decades on, HELP(2) updates that spirit for a new generation — and a world once again defined by global conflict.
Set for release on March 6, the album boasts a seriously stacked line-up, spanning pop, post-punk and alternative royalty. Alongside Arctic Monkeys, contributors include Olivia Rodrigo, Fontaines D.C., Damon Albarn, Graham Coxon, Depeche Mode, and a long-awaited return from fellow Sheffield legends Pulp, who appear with an unreleased track titled ‘Begging For Change’.
Recorded during a collaborative week at Abbey Road Studios, HELP(2) captures artists working quickly, instinctively and with purpose — echoing the urgency of the album’s mission. All proceeds will go directly to War Child, funding essential support such as education, mental health care and protection for children living in conflict zones.
In an era where surprise drops and algorithm-friendly singles dominate, Arctic Monkeys’ decision to return quietly — and charitably — feels pointed. ‘Opening Night’ isn’t a reset or a reinvention, but a reminder: the band are still here, still selective, and still capable of making moments matter.
HELP(2) is available to pre-order now, with every purchase contributing to War Child’s ongoing humanitarian work.
Pre-order the album here:
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