War Child Records released its latest charity compilation album, “HELP(2),” on March 6 to support children in impacted by war. The collaboration features nearly two dozen artists whose individual styles highlight themes of political unrest, celebrity culture, and the effects of violence. “HELP(2)” presents a striking image of the violent cycle of war and the universal importance of hope.
“HELP(2)” follows the tradition of other War Child records by raising funds for crises in Gaza, Sudan, Yemen, and Ukraine. Under the stewardship of British producer James Ford, the 23 songs in the compilation album were recorded in November 2025 at London’s Abbey Road Studios. The record features major recording artists such as Olivia Rodrigo and Arctic Monkeys alongside indie darlings like Big Thief, beabadoobee, and Fontaines D.C.
“I thought it was beautiful. They’re [music artists] already making so much money … It’s the least an artist can do to help out in these dire situations. I think if you’re going to make art, and you can make it to fundraise for children, that’s an amazing cause,” English major Olivia Klimek said to the FSView. “I love Olivia Rodrigo, which is how I heard about it.”
The crossover appeal of War Child Records
By combining impactful covers and new originals, “HELP(2)” balances cultural immediacy with the strengths of contributing artists to support a humanitarian cause. Ford’s masterful production unlocked each track’s full potential, notably with Olivia Rodrigo’s heart-melting cover of “The Book of Love” by The Magnetic Fields. For many listeners, these high-profile covers serve as the primary entry point into the record’s heavier subject matter.
“I liked how different of a style the song is than the rest of [Rodrigo’s] discography,” Tallahassee State College student Tela Velazquez said to the FSView. “It’s awesome to see that artists as young and mainstream as her are still showing their love for classic songs that even legendary artists like Peter Gabriel have covered too.”
The compilation creates space for both politically charged ballads and explosive rock singles. Beth Gibbons sings The Velvet Underground’s “Sunday Morning” like a lullaby, while Irish post-punk group Fontaines D.C. breathes new life into Sinéad O’Connor’s “Black Boys on Mopeds.”
Unreleased tracks and experimental soundscapes
The album’s surprises extend beyond its devastating cover tracks. The enigmatic King Krule offers a transition track on “The 343 Loop,” while Big Thief contributes its previously unreleased stunner “Relive, Redie.” On “Sunday Light,” singer-songwriters Anna Calvi, Nilüfer Yanya, and Dove Ellis join arms with Wolf Alice’s Ellie Rowsell for a stunning late-album ballad.
The song selections in “Help(2)” allude to world conflict while grounding themselves in specific cultural identities. For example, Fontaines D.C. describes the hypocrisy of the United Kingdom police and the weight of raising a child amid political turmoil and violence. This balance of personal and political themes gives the record its emotional weight.
“Warning” from Geese frontman Cameron Winter undoubtedly stands out within the tracklist. His haunting vocals describe modern moral failings and reflect on senseless violence, a theme that unites many of the album’s songs. Following the 2025 success of his solo record “Heavy Metal” and Geese’s “Getting Killed,” all eyes are on what Winter and Geese do next.
“There is so much work to be done on your heart,” Winter sings on the back end of the track, his voice evoking anger toward the injustices of war. The string-heavy track ends bluntly with screams of “[expletive] you, [expletive] you,” tensely contrasting the general delicacy of the rest of the record. “Warning” delivers a harsh, provoking message about justice and a violent call to action.
“Flags” by Damon Albarn, Grian Chatten, and Kae Tempest illustrates the role joy and protest play amid constant news of war. The lyric, “Stitch a tear to a prayer, fly it so they see,” summarizes the gentle hope the album holds close to its heart. War Child Records continues to challenge the expectation of a silent celebrity, demonstrating how music can serve those in need of aid.
The history of activism at War Child Records
The current activism of War Child Records follows a long history. British filmmakers Bill Leeson and David Wilson, along with Dutch social entrepreneur Willemijn Verloop, founded the independent organization in 1993 to respond to the violence witnessed in the former Yugoslavia during the Bosnian War. After observing the impact of music therapy in bomb shelters, the founders established War Child UK in 1994.
The success of the War Child UK led to the creation of War Child Records and the 1995 release of the first War Child album, “Help.” Produced by Brian Eno and recorded in a single day, the original album featured British legends like Oasis, Paul McCartney, and Radiohead.
Now, in a time of political division, the record suggests that a listener’s independent choices are the only things they truly control. Whether they heed that warning is up to them. The album’s ultimate message remains one of resistance in the face of helplessness, demonstrating celebrity activism in a climate where many choose micro-activism over protest.
“I think it’s really awesome to see lots of my favorite artists come together and use their talents for a good cause,” demography major Molly Novin said to the FSView. “I feel like charity albums aren’t as popular these days, and it is really awesome to see people using their art to help children in Gaza and Sudan, especially when most artists don’t speak out against atrocities caused by these wars.”
Catalina Salgado and Hayden Milanovich are Staff Writers for the FSView & Florida Flambeau, the student-run, independent online news service for the FSU community. Email our staff at contact@fsview.com.
This article originally appeared on FSU News: Artists collaborate on War Child Records’ charity album ‘HELP(2)’
Reporting by Catalina Salgado, Senior Staff Writer; Hayden Milanovich, Staff Writer, FSView / FSU News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
