Damon Albarn, Grian Chatten and Kae Tempest team up on ‘Flags’ for War Child’s ‘Help (2)’

Posted On February 12, 2026February 12, 2026

Damon Albarn, Grian Chatten, and Kae Tempest have come together on ‘Flags’, the latest single released from War Child’s forthcoming album, Help (2).

The new single is the second to be released from the charity’s new compilation, Help (2), set for release on March 6th, 2026. The first saw Arctic Monkeys return on ‘Opening Night’.

On the track, Tempest and Chatten’s verses respond to one another; the Fontaines DC frontman sings, “I remember the dealers keeping coins in the speakers, choked up on the cheek of having hair like Jesus”, while Tempest adds, “When I grow up, I’ll do it different: tryna change the world by wishing, if I could have it all, whatever I liked, just want everyone to be alright.”

Beyond the three musicians lending their vocals to ‘Flags’, an extraordinary lineup of instrumentalists prop up the elegant backing: Johnny Marr, Dave Okumu, Adrian Utley (Portishead), Gorillaz’ bassist Seye Adelekan, Ezra Collective’s Femi Koleoso, and a 43-piece children’s choir.

Beyond this, an all-star choir lends further heavenly vocals, including Marr, Jarvis Cocker, Carl Barat of The Libertines, Declan McKenna, Marika Hackman, Rosa Walton of Let’s Eat Grandma, English Teacher, Black Country, New Road, and Nadia Kadek.

Speaking on the new project, Blur’s Albarn shared, “Recording ‘Flags’ was a genuinely joyful two days, with a strong sense of purpose throughout the building.”

Singer-songwriter Tempest added, “I loved writing this song and collaborating with the other artists, it was like a fever dream that day at Abbey Road. Couldn’t believe how good it felt and the sheer force of will that shepherded all those energies together and directed them towards this beautiful conclusion.”

Chatten also spoke of this hopeful energy: “It’s a rare occasion that you feel the energy for change in such a tangible way and from so many, but that is exactly how it felt in the room that day.” He also gave a shout-out to the “incredible musicians who helped bring the song to life on the day.”

The upcoming release has its roots in the late 20th century, when, in 1995, a number of the biggest artists came together at Abbey Road Studios to record the original Help compilation in aid of War Child. Three decades on, a new string of musical greats have set out to recreate history.

The full list of contributiing artists are 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.

For more information on the work that War Child do in places of need, such as Sudan, Gaza, Ukraine, Syria, visit here. Help (2) can also be pre-ordered here.

The full tracklist can be viewed below.

Help (2) tracklist:

1. Arctic Monkeys – ‘Opening Night’
2. Damon Albarn, Grian Chatten and Kae Tempest – ‘Flags’
3. Black Country, New Road – ‘Strangers’
4. The Last Dinner Party – ‘Let’s do it again!’
5. Beth Gibbons – ‘Sunday Morning’
6. Arooj Aftab & Beck – ‘Lilac Wine’
7. King Krule – ‘The 343 Loop’
8. Depeche Mode – ‘Universal Soldier’
9. Ezra Collective and Greentea Peng – ‘Helicopters’
10. Arlo Parks – ‘Nothing I Could Hide’
11. English Teacher and Graham Coxon – ‘Parasite’
12. Beabadoobee – ‘Say Yes’
13. Big Thief – ‘Relive, Redie’
14. Fontaines DC – ‘Black Boys on Mopeds’
15. Cameron Winter – ‘Warning’
16. Young Fathers – ‘Don’t Fight the Young’
17. Pulp – ‘Begging for Change’
18. Sampha – ‘Naboo’
19. Wet Leg – ‘Obvious’
20. Foals – ‘When the War is Finally Done’
21. Bat For Lashes – ‘Carried My Girl’
22. Anna Calvi, Ellie Rowsell, Nilüfer Yanya and Dove Ellis – ‘Sunday Light’
23. Olivia Rodrigo – ‘The Book of Love’