SPILL NEW MUSIC: WAR CHILD RECORDS RELEASE “FLAGS” BY DAMON ALBARN, GRIAN CHATTEN (FONTAINES D.C.) & KAE TEMPEST

WAR CHILD RECORDS RELEASE “FLAGS” BY DAMON ALBARN, GRIAN CHATTEN (FONTAINES D.C.) & KAE TEMPEST

WAR CHILD RECORDS

“Flags” is the crowning collaboration on HELP(2), a powerful reflection on youth and selfhood written by Damon Albarn (Blur/Gorillaz), Grian Chatten (Fontaines D.C.), and recording artist/poet Kae Tempest. Produced by Albarn, James Ford, Marta Salogni, and Toby L, the track stands as a bold statement of resilience – finding strength within and solidarity with others.

Driven by a memorable piano motif, the track brings together an extraordinary lineup: Johnny Marr, Dave Okumu, Adrian Utley (Portishead), Gorillaz’ bassist Seye Adelekan, Femi Koleoso (Ezra Collective), and a 43-piece children’s choir.

Adding additional vocal depth and range was a second, all-star choir — comprising the aforementioned Marr, Jarvis Cocker, Carl Barat (The Libertines), Declan McKenna, Marika Hackman, Rosa Walton (Let’s Eat Grandma), English Teacher, Black Country, New Road, and Nadia Kadek.

HELP(2) is a brand new collaborative album inspired by the landmark 1995 release HELP to engage music lovers globally in support of War Child UK’s vital work delivering immediate aid, education, specialist mental health support, and protection to children affected by conflict around the world. The new album, like the original, speaks to the urgency of the humanitarian situation globally today.

HELP(2) will be released on Friday, March 6th via War Child Records.

HELP(2) carries forward the spirit of the original HELP album, and was brought to life through a close collaboration with London’s famed Abbey Road Studios, recorded predominantly across one extraordinary week in November 2025 under the stewardship of acclaimed producer James Ford.

The tracklist features an incredible line-up of contributors including Anna Calvi, Arctic Monkeys, Arlo Parks, Arooj Aftab, Bat For Lashes, Beabadoobee, Beck, Beth Gibbons, Big Thief, Black Country, New Road, Cameron Winter, Damon Albarn, Depeche Mode, Dove Ellis, Ellie Rowsell, English Teacher, Ezra Collective, Foals, Fontaines D.C., Graham Coxon, Greentea Peng, Grian Chatten, Kae Tempest, King Krule, Nilüfer Yanya, Olivia Rodrigo, Pulp, Sampha, The Last Dinner Party, Wet Leg, and Young Fathers. You can find the full HELP(2) tracklist below.

The spirit of the original record was reflected in the collaborative nature of the recording process, with numerous impromptu moments unfolding in the studio. Damon Albarn’s session for “Flags” saw him joined by Johnny Marr on guitar, and Kae Tempest and Grian Chatten of Fontaines D.C. on vocals; and Olivia Rodrigo was connected with Graham Coxon, resulting in the guitarist performing on her cover of The Magnetic Fields’ “The Book of Love”.

In addition to the stellar cast of musicians involved, renowned filmmaker and Academy Award Winner Jonathan Glazer acted as Creative Director for HELP(2), working with Academy Films to assemble a team of brilliant creatives and overseeing the filming and art direction for the project. Glazer and Mica Levi’s concept was simple – “By Children, For Children” – with his team handing the cameras over to children in order to see the world through their eyes and serve as a constant reminder of the reason for the endeavor to the audience and all involved.

Each child operated their own small camera and was invited into the studios to film the artists recording without any restrictions. In addition, Glazer’s team worked with fixers and filmmakers in Ukraine, Gaza, Yemen, and Sudan to gather footage filmed by children on the ground in these conflict zones. The results are a stunning piece of work that, ultimately, connects the album to the children the music seeks to help.

Damon Albarn, Grian Chatten, Kae Tempest
[Single]
(War Child Records)
Release Date: February 13, 2026

Pre-Order HELP(2) HERE

Artist Links

Background Photo Credit: Lawrence Watson