Arctic Monkeys have unveiled 'Opening Night', their first new track in four years, as the lead single for the upcoming charity compilation HELP(2). The song supports War Child's efforts to aid children affected by conflict, with the album set for release on March 6, 2026. Recorded at Abbey Road Studios, the project features contributions from artists including Olivia Rodrigo, Depeche Mode and Pulp.
Arctic Monkeys' 'Opening Night' marks the band's return to music since their 2022 album 'The Car'. Released on January 22, 2026, the track opens the star-studded HELP(2), a sequel to the 1995 charity album 'Help' that raised over £1.2 million for children impacted by the Bosnian conflict. The new compilation aims to support War Child's work in 14 countries, including Sudan, Gaza, Ukraine and Syria, where an estimated 520 million children—one in five globally—are affected by war.
Produced by James Ford, who has worked on most of the band's albums, HELP(2) was recorded over one week in November 2025 at London's Abbey Road Studios. Ford described the process as 'life-affirming' amid a difficult year, emphasizing its role in galvanizing the music community for a positive cause. The band stated: 'When James Ford called and asked if we’d contribute to the ‘Help(2)’ album, we set to work on a song idea and assembled in Abbey Road to record it. We are proud to support the invaluable work War Child do and hope the record will make a positive difference to the lives of children affected by war.'
Oscar-winning director Jonathan Glazer served as creative director, with the theme 'By Children, For Children'. Children filmed the recording sessions without restrictions and contributed footage from conflict zones in Ukraine, Gaza, Yemen and Sudan. Glazer and producer Mica Levi explained: '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.'
The album features new tracks and covers from artists such as Damon Albarn with Grian Chatten and Kae Tempest, Black Country, New Road, Beth Gibbons, Arooj Aftab and Beck, King Krule, Ezra Collective and Greentea Peng, Arlo Parks, English Teacher and Graham Coxon, Beabadoobee, Big Thief, Cameron Winter, Young Fathers, Sampha, Wet Leg, Foals, Bat For Lashes, Anna Calvi with Ellie Rowsell, Nilüfer Yanya and Dove Ellis. NME gave 'Opening Night' four stars, noting speculation about it being the band's final release but praising it as 'interesting, enjoyable and for a mighty good cause'.
Arctic Monkeys have previously supported War Child, including a 2018 charity show at Royal Albert Hall released as a live record in 2020, with proceeds benefiting the charity.