War Child Records Release New Single ‘Flags’ byDamon Albarn, Grian Chatten & Kae Tempest

War Child Records have unveiled “Flags”, a striking new collaboration from Damon Albarn, Grian Chatten and Kae Tempest, lifted from the forthcoming charity album HELP(2), out Friday 6 March.

Written by the trio and produced by Albarn alongside James Ford, Marta Salogni and Toby L, “Flags” is a powerful meditation on youth, identity and resilience. Anchored by a memorable piano motif, the track builds into a communal statement of solidarity, featuring an extraordinary lineup including Johnny Marr, Dave Okumu, Adrian Utley, Gorillaz bassist Seye Adelekan and Ezra Collective’s Femi Koleoso, alongside a 43-piece children’s choir. A second all-star vocal ensemble adds further weight, with appearances from Jarvis Cocker, Carl Barat, Declan McKenna, Marika Hackman, Rosa Walton, English Teacher, Black Country, New Road and Nadia Kadek.

Recorded largely over one extraordinary week at Abbey Road Studios, HELP(2) brings together a huge cross-section of artists — from Arctic Monkeys and Olivia Rodrigo to Pulp, Depeche Mode, Sampha, Wet Leg and Young Fathers — reimagining the spirit of the original 1995 HELP album for a new generation. Creative direction comes from Academy Award winner Jonathan Glazer, whose “By Children, For Children” concept placed young people at the heart of the project, handing cameras to kids in the studio and in conflict zones including Ukraine, Gaza, Yemen and Sudan.

All proceeds support War Child UK, which delivers emergency aid, education and mental health support to children affected by war. With nearly one in five children worldwide now impacted by conflict, HELP(2) arrives as both a creative high point and a call to action — proof of what’s possible when the music community comes together for a shared cause.

HELP(2) is released Friday 6 March. No child should be part of war. Ever.