Help (2) had big shoes to fill as the sequel of War Child’s 1995 offering Help, a legendary charity collaboration. It certainly lives up to expectation, with a diverse and star studded line-up, opening with Arctic Monkeys’ first original material since 2022 and closing with Olivia Rodrigo’s cover of ‘The Book of Love.’ In more than an hour between these tracks, Help (2) brings the listener on a journey through genre and time via exciting new material, poignant tributes and fascinating collaborations.
‘Flags’ is an interesting collaboration which is evocative of Damon Albarn’s more melancholy offerings, with verses from Albarn, Kae Tempest and Grian Chatten accompanied by a choir boasting many more big names. The lyricism is hauntingly beautiful, although perhaps the verses feel slightly discordant. The track is followed by Black Country, New Road’s ‘Strangers,’ which incorporates folk elements for an easier listening experience. The Last Dinner Party offers ‘Let’s Do it Again!,’ a strong example of the theatrical pop they do so well.
Following in the footsteps of Nina Simone and Jeff Buckley, Arooj Aftab and Beck cover ‘Lilac Wine’ in a duet with gorgeous harmony. The array of covers on the album consistently meet this standard, perhaps the most poignant example being Grian Chatten’s ‘Black Boys on Mopeds,’ particularly fitting given Sinead O’Connors involvement in the 1995 War Child project. The desperation of O’Connor’s call for peace is perfectly captured by Chatten, emphasising the ongoing, posthumous relevance of her discography.
Ezra Collective and Greentea Peng’s ‘Helicopters’ stands out from the rest of Help (2) with its funky, reggae beat, an apt choice given the non-violent message which lies at the root of the genre. Its lyrics are some of the most literal on Help (2) in expressing War Child Records’ key message alongside Young Fathers’ ‘Don’t Fight the Young,’ perhaps the heaviest, most energetic offering on the record.
The release of Help (2) was accompanied by a powerful social media campaign involving clips from its recording at Abbey Road studios, filmed by children with camcorders, an ode to the message of youthful hope and a nod to War Child, the charity which the proceeds will benefit. The necessity of peace and concern for the global humanitarian situation is poignant, highlighting the importance of the arts, the power of music and the spirit of collaboration at a time where optimism feels increasingly difficult.
“Warchild borsato concert” by dankamminga is licensed under CC BY 2.0.