Arctic Monkeys debut on HELP(2)
Arctic Monkeys contributed 'Opening Night' to the charity compilation HELP(2), a release that also features Depeche Mode and Olivia Rodrigo — the track is drawing immediate attention amid the album’s rollout charity album note related post. The release is being positioned as a high-profile benefit collaboration this spring.
Arctic Monkeys released “Opening Night” as a lead single on January 22, 2026, marking their first new material since 2022’s The Car. nme.com The HELP(2) sessions were recorded at Abbey Road across one intensive week in November 2025 under the stewardship of producer James Ford. warchild.org.uk The single’s production credits list James Ford, Loren Humphrey and Alex Turner. en.wikipedia.org The full HELP(2) compilation arrived on March 6, 2026 and was issued across streaming and physical formats. consequence.net The two-CD tracklist includes Depeche Mode’s “Universal Soldier,” Olivia Rodrigo’s rendition of “The Book of Love,” and a bonus live Oasis recording from Wembley dated September 28, 2025. warchild.org.uk A companion film overseen by filmmaker Jonathan Glazer followed the project’s “By Children, For Children” concept, with dozens of cameras lent to children to document artists in the studio. consequence.net All proceeds from HELP(2) are directed to War Child UK’s programmes for children affected by conflict, and the original 1995 HELP release raised over £1.25 million and sold more than 700,000 copies. warchild.org.uk “Opening Night” began life as an unfinished demo Alex Turner first composed around the AM sessions in 2013 and was rewritten and re-recorded during the November 2025 Abbey Road week. en.wikipedia.org
