THE frontman of Blur has released a new song today as part of a charity record helping children affected by war.
Colchester's Damon Albarn, who’s also known for creating the Gorillaz, has shared a new song called Flags today.
The song was also written by Fontaines D.C singer Grian Chatten, and poet Kae Tempest – it serves as a reflection on youth and selfhood.
It will be on the upcoming album HELP(2) in aid of War Child UK.
The charity is dedicated to protecting, educating and standing up for the rights of children living through conflict around the world.
The new collaborative album is inspired by the 1995 album Help which featured songs from Oasis, Radiohead, Blur, Manic Street Preachers, Stone Roses, Portishead, Paul Weller, Paul McCartney and Noel Gallagher.
Speaking about the song, Damon said: “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."
The song also has musicians Johnny Marr, Dave Okumu, Adrian Utley of Portishead, Gorillaz's bassist Seye Adelekan, Femi Koleoso of Ezra Collective , and a 43-piece children's choir.
Another choir provided vocals as well including Pulp’s Jarvis Cocker, Carl Barat form The Libertines, Declan McKenna, Marika Hackman, Rosa Walton, to name but a few.
Grian said: "To be gifted the chance to collaborate with such talented artists as Damon and Kae in aid of such an important cause was really special.
“Not to mention all of the incredible musicians who helped bring the song to life on the day. 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."
Help(2) was brought to life through a close collaboration with Abbey Road Studios, recorded predominantly across one week in November 2025 with acclaimed producer James Ford.
The album will also feature Blur Guitarist Graham Coxon on a song called Parasite with the band English Teacher.
The original Help album raised more than £1.2 million, enabling War Child to provide vital support to thousands of children caught in the Bosnian conflict.
War Child was founded in 1993 by filmmakers David Wilson and Bill Leeson, along with social entrepreneur Willemijn Verloop.
The album is set to release on March 6, and all proceeds will go to the charity.
To find out more about War Child’s work, visit warchild.org.uk.
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