Today, War Child Records releases “Flags” – a brand new song by Damon Albarn, Grian Chatten & Kae Tempest – taken from the highly anticipated forthcoming HELP(2) album.
“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, it also brings together an extraordinary lineup: Johnny Marr, Dave Okumu, Adrian Utley (Portishead), Gorillaz’ bassist Seye Adelekan, Ezra Collective’s Femi Koleoso, 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.
“Recording ‘Flags’ was a genuinely joyful two days, with a strong sense of purpose throughout the building. I was particularly struck by the decision to employ children to do all the filming in the studio – it felt inspiring and directly reinforced the point we were trying to make about communicating with kids, by involving them in the process itself.” – Damon Albarn
War Child UK is driven by a single goal – ensuring a safe future for every child affected by war.
Using 30 years of experience and proven methodologies, War Child aims to reach children as quickly as possible when conflict breaks out and stays long after the cameras have gone to support them through their recovery.
War Child works with local communities and governments to help protect and educate children, and support them to heal and learn, for a safer, brighter future. Because one child caught up in conflict is one child too many.
War Child understands children’s needs, respects and stands up for their rights, and puts them at the centre of everything it does. War Child boldly campaigns on the root causes of conflict and helps to amplify children’s voices, so that it can advocate for change on the issues that matter to them.
Together with its partners, War Child delivers vital work in 14 countries across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America.
Every day, its local teams are in communities and refugee camps creating safe spaces for children to play, learn, and access psychological support. War Child also specialises in responding rapidly to emergency crisis situations as they happen, offering immediate and critical aid impartially to keep children safe and help them through their trauma. War Child UK is a member of the War Child Alliance, a global foundation made up of five fundraising offices and 14 programme offices.
War Child UK is driven by a single goal – ensuring a safe future for every child affected by war.
Using 30 years of experience and proven methodologies, War Child aims to reach children as quickly as possible when conflict breaks out and stays long after the cameras have gone to support them through their recovery.
War Child works with local communities and governments to help protect and educate children, and support them to heal and learn, for a safer, brighter future. Because one child caught up in conflict is one child too many.
War Child understands children’s needs, respects and stands up for their rights, and puts them at the centre of everything it does. War Child boldly campaigns on the root causes of conflict and helps to amplify children’s voices, so that it can advocate for change on the issues that matter to them.
Together with its partners, War Child delivers vital work in 14 countries across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America.
Every day, its local teams are in communities and refugee camps creating safe spaces for children to play, learn, and access psychological support. War Child also specialises in responding rapidly to emergency crisis situations as they happen, offering immediate and critical aid impartially to keep children safe and help them through their trauma. War Child UK is a member of the War Child Alliance, a global foundation made up of five fundraising offices and 14 programme offices.
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