Olivia Rodrigo, Cameron Winter, Wet Leg and More Unveil New Songs on War Child’s Stellar ‘Help(2)’ Benefit Compilation: Album Review

The 1995 charity album "Help" remains a landmark event for the UK music scene. Spearheaded by the then-fledgling aid organization War Child—established in 1993 to support children impacted by war—it featured exclusive songs from era-defining acts like Oasis, Blur, and Radiohead. Created in just one day, the project raised more than £1.2 million for young victims of the Bosnian War. Interestingly, Radiohead's donated song, "Lucky," later became a standout on their seminal 1997 album "OK Computer."

Now, a follow-up has been announced. "Help (2)" was produced over a week last November at the iconic Abbey Road Studios in London, under the direction of executive producer James Ford. Ford, a sought-after producer known for his work with Arctic Monkeys and Florence + The Machine, oversaw a roster that mixes artists from the original compilation with modern hitmakers. The 23-song album includes new contributions from Olivia Rodrigo, Big Thief, and Wet Leg, a selection organizers state reflects current worldwide humanitarian emergencies.

Musically, the compilation offers a wide range of sounds. It presents the first new studio recording from Arctic Monkeys in two years and features Fontaines D.C. with a powerful cover of Sinéad O'Connor's "Black Boys on Mopeds." A notable genre-blending moment pairs the minimalist Pakistani singer Arooj Aftab with Beck for a rendition of "Lilac Wine," while Olivia Rodrigo delivers a stripped-back, emotional version of The Magnetic Fields' "Book of Love." This approach often yields unique artistic insights. As music critic Anya Sharma notes, "Charity compilations can strip away the usual industry filters, allowing artists to present work driven purely by personal resonance or social conscience, which frequently results in some of their most memorable recordings."

The project's visual component is guided by Oscar-winning director Jonathan Glazer ("The Zone of Interest"), who served as creative director. His "By Children, For Children" initiative provided cameras to young people to film the studio sessions without direction. Furthermore, Glazer's team collaborated with filmmakers in active war zones, including Gaza and Ukraine, to integrate footage captured by children experiencing those conflicts firsthand, forging a visceral connection to War Child's cause.

The need for such efforts has grown exponentially. When the first "Help" album was released, approximately 10% of the world's children lived in conflict zones. Today, that number has doubled to one in five, or about 520 million children—a scale of suffering not seen since World War II. With humanitarian budgets stretched thin, proceeds from "Help (2)," which also features songs from Damon Albarn, Pulp, and Sampha, are vital for War Child's programs in protection, education, and emergency aid. This sequel stands as a potent testament to the music industry's enduring role in mobilizing support during times of profound global crisis.