Help 2 - Review

After 31 years, War Child Records released its second charity album, HELP(2). The album is packed with massive artists like Arctic Monkeys, Damon Albern, Olivia Rodrigo, and Fontaines D.C. Fittingly, the album begins with Arctic Monkeys track “Opening Night.” The song fits well within the aesthetic of Arctic Monkeys last album The Car, a crooning, 70’s track that is also upbeat and catchy. · While the album has an overall flow that sounds cohesive, each artist is still able to stick to their usual sound without having to strain to fit within a compilation. The Last Dinner Party’s track, “Let’s Do It Again!,” is a perfect example of this. The song has their typical campy vocals that are highlighted with piano and electric guitar and even includes a guitar solo. Depeche Mode’s “Universal Soldier” is also a perfect example of this, because it follows their signature synth sound. Despite it having their signature sound, the song is a cover of Buffy Saint-Marie’s original anti-war song that points out soldiers as followers. Beabadoobee’s track “Say Yes,” also follows her typical acoustic guitar heavy style, with unique Y2K style soft vocals. 

The album features other covers like Beth Gibson’s acoustic, melodical “Sunday Morning” by the Velvet Underground & Nico, Olivia Rodrigo’s cover of “The Book of Love” by The Magnetic Fields and Beck’s cover of “Lilac Wine” by Nina Simone. “Lilac Wine” is simple and haunting at the same time. A true stand out, it is simple with the piano in the background yet haunting with the soft harmonies. 

A true standout amongst the track list is Fontaines D.C.’s “Black Boys on Mopeds.” It is a cover of Sinead O’Connor’s 1990 song, written about racism and police violence, issues that still linger today. The ripping guitar lingers in the very background, teasing the build of the song, and when it finally does, it is traditional strings that create the build instead. It doesn’t completely fit in with their usual sound but is not a complete departure. Also featuring strings is Cameron Winter’s “Warning.” True to the name, the strings create tension in the song that almost makes you feel uneasy. · Towards the end of the record, Wet Leg is featured in a song that is different from their usual sound. Rather than having lyrics that are spoken, the song is melodic and slow. The album ends with Olivia Rodrigo’s cover of “The Book of Love,” sending a powerful message of how important love is in times like this. 

HELP(2) is easy to listen to, and meets the expectations of fans coming to hear these huge artists. It is surprisingly slow and meaningful, with only a few upbeat tracks. The curation of artists fits extremely well together and lends itself to a cohesive flow that aids in the listening experience.

THE FULL TRACKLIST 

Opening Night (Arctic Monkeys)
Flags (Grian Chattan, Damon Albarn, Kae Tempest)
Strangers (Black Country, New World)
Let’s Do It Again! (The Last Dinner Party)
Sunday Morning (Beth Ditto)
Lilac Wine (Arooj Aftab and Beck)
The 343 Loop (King Krule)
Universal Soldier (Depeche Mode)
Helicopters (Ezra Collective and Greentea Peng)
Nothing I Could Hide (Arlo Parks)
Parasite (English Teacher, Graham Coxon)
Say Yes (Beabadoobee)
Relive, Redie (Big Thief)
Black Boys on Mopeds (Fontaines DC)
Warning (Cameron Winter)
Don’t Fight the Young (Young Fathers)
Begging for Change (Pulp)
Naboo (Sampha)
Obvious (Wet Leg)
When the War is Finally Done (Foals)
Carried My Girl (Bat for Lashes)
Sunday Light (Anna Calvi, Nilufer Yanya, Dove Ellis, Ellie Roswell)
The Book of Love (Olivia Rodrigo) 

It follows the iconic Help! album from 1995 which featured tracks from Radiohead, Oasis, Paul McCartney and more. All proceeds for this album go to War Child, helping kids displaced by conflict.