After four years of silence, Arctic Monkeys have officially made their long-awaited return with a brand-new song titled “Opening Night.” The track marks the band’s first new release since their 2022 album The Car and arrives as part of a special charity project supporting children affected by war.
“Opening Night” appears on the upcoming benefit compilation HELP(2), created to raise funds for the UK-based humanitarian organization War Child. The album is scheduled for release on March 6 via War Child Records.
The band recorded the new track at the legendary Abbey Road Studios, joining a powerful lineup of artists contributing to the project. The compilation brings together some of the most influential names in modern music, including Beck, Olivia Rodrigo, Depeche Mode, Sampha, King Krule, Big Thief, Arooj Aftab, Pulp, Foals, Wet Leg and many more.
Film director Jonathan Glazer, best known for The Zone of Interest, served as the creative director of the project, shaping the artistic vision behind the album.
A Modern Follow-Up to a Historic Charity Project
HELP(2) is inspired by the original HELP compilation released in 1995, which was famously recorded in a single day to support War Child’s humanitarian work during the Bosnian conflict. That landmark album featured iconic artists such as Radiohead, Oasis, Massive Attack and Sinéad O’Connor.
Three decades later, HELP(2) revives the same spirit of urgency and solidarity, aiming to support War Child’s ongoing efforts in today’s conflict zones around the world.
Star-Studded Tracklist Highlights
The 23-track album opens with Arctic Monkeys’ “Opening Night” and includes exclusive performances and collaborations such as:
- Damon Albarn, Grian Chatten & Kae Tempest – “Flags”
- Black Country, New Road – “Strangers”
- Arooj Aftab & Beck – “Lilac Wine”
- Depeche Mode – “Universal Soldier”
- Olivia Rodrigo – “The Book of Love”
- Sampha – “Naboo”
With its rare new Arctic Monkeys release and an exceptional artist lineup, HELP(2) is already being seen as one of the most important charity albums of recent years.
For fans, “Opening Night” offers a first glimpse into what could be the band’s next creative chapter — while also supporting a cause far bigger than music.
Photo: Raph_PH, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons