Arctic Monkeys, Fontaines D.C., and Damon Albarn Rumoured for New War Child Charity Album
British charity War Child has sparked massive online buzz after teasing a potential new star-studded record. Rumours are flying that Arctic Monkeys are involved, alongside heavyweights like Fontaines D.C.Damon Albarn, Young Fathers, and English Teacher.
War Child, an organisation dedicated to protecting and supporting children in conflict zones, has a legendary history of musical collaborations. It all began in 1995 with the iconic album 'Help', which famously united Britpop rivals Oasis and Blur on a single tracklist. That record, featuring the likes of Radiohead and Portishead, raised over £1.25 million and set the stage for future releases like 'Hope' and 'War Child Presents Heroes'.
The Legacy of the 1995 'Help' Album
The original 'Help' record wasn’t just a charity release; it was a cultural phenomenon that defined the Britpop era. Inspired by John Lennon’s belief that records should be as immediate as newspapers, the entire album was recorded in a single day on September 4, 1995, and hit shelves just days later.
The album is most famous for achieving the "impossible": bringing together Oasis and Blur on the same tracklist at the height of their bitter chart rivalry. It also saw the debut of the supergroup The Smokin' Mojo Filters, featuring Paul McCartney, Paul Weller, and Noel Gallagher.
- Mastered by Brian Eno with artwork by John Squire, the record featured an incredible lineup:
Radiohead contributed 'Lucky' (which later appeared on 'OK Computer'). - Oasis performed 'Fade Away' with guest appearances from Johnny Depp and Kate Moss.
- Manic Street Preachers covered 'Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head'.
- Iconic tracks were also provided by The Stone Roses, Portishead, Massive Attack, Suede, Sinéad O’Connor, The Charlatans, and The Chemical Brothers.
It raised over £1.25 million for the non-profit and was followed by other successful charity records including 2002’s '1 Love', 2003’s 'Hope', 2005’s 'Help!: A Day in the Life' and 2009’s 'War Child Presents Heroes'.
A New Chapter: War Child Records 2026
Yesterday (Wednesday, January 7), the charity signaled a new era by launching a dedicated Instagram account, @WarChildRecords. The first post revealed that “there is a group of artists who are working on something important in support of War Child.
The announcement included a sobering statistic: when 'Help' was released in 1995, 10% of the world’s children were affected by conflict. Over the past three decades, that figure has doubled to 19%, affecting 520 million children globally.
The Producer: James Ford
While official details remain under wraps, all signs point to producer James Ford helming the project. Ford shared the War Child announcement on his own account along with a sign-up link for fans.
Best recognised for his career-defining work with Arctic Monkeys, Ford has become one of the most sought-after producers in the world. Over the years, he has shaped the sound of Gorillaz, Florence + The Machine, Depeche Mode, Blur, Pet Shop Boys, Fontaines D.C., Pulp, The Last Dinner Party, Foals, Geese, and many more
Don't or Do Believe the Hype
Evidence of a massive tracklist is mounting, with fans dissecting every social media follow:
- Arctic Monkeys: The band and their label, Domino, both follow the new @WarChildRecords page. If confirmed, this would mark the band’s first new music since their 2022 album ‘The Car’, and their first major announcement since their 2023 Glastonbury headline set.
- Damon Albarn & Gorillaz: Albarn has already shared the charity’s message on his stories. This comes at a busy time for the musician, as Gorillaz are currently preparing to release their new album ‘The Mountain’ and embark on a major arena tour.
- Fontaines D.C.: Despite having no current plans for a new studio album, the band are active on the 2026 circuit with summer dates pencilled in, including Reading & Leeds.
- Young Fathers & English Teacher: Both bands follow the new account. It would be the first new material from Young Fathers since ‘Heavy Heavy’, while many are expecting a follow-up from English Teacher after their brilliant debut ‘This Must Be Texas’.
If Arctic Monkeys join the project, it continues a long-standing partnership. In 2018, the band performed a special show for the charity, later releasing the live record ‘Live at the Royal Albert Hall’ in 2020 to raise further funds.
Who Else Could Be Involved?
Given the charity’s history of pulling in the biggest names in British music, I can't imagine these are the only bands involved. With James Ford's contact book and the 30-year legacy of 'Help' at play, who else could be on the record?
Could we see a contribution from Oasis, especially following their massive reunion? Would Pulp or The 1975 lend a track? While many have assumed Damon Albarn's collaboration involves Gorillaz, it could just as easily be a solo release or a return for Blur.
If we're continuing the theme of honouring the best of this generation. Sam Fender, Wunderhorse and Wolf Alice are perfect fits for a project of this scale.
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Thank you for reading
Jack