Depeche Mode cover 'Universal Soldier' 2026

War Child Records presents HELP(2)

Domino is proud to amplify the launch of War Child Records in announcing the release of HELP(2); a brand new collaborative album, inspired by the landmark 1995 release HELP, which brings music lovers together in support of War Child's vital work delivering immediate aid, education, specialist mental health support, and protection to children affected by conflict around the world.

HELP(2) carries forward the spirit of the original HELP album and was brought to life through a close collaboration with Abbey Road Studios, recorded predominantly across one extraordinary week in November 2025.

Under the stewardship of acclaimed producer James Ford as Executive Producer, HELP(2) features an incredible line-up of contributors including Anna Calvi, Arctic Monkeys, Arlo Parks, Arooj Aftab, Bat For Lashes, Beabadoobee, Beck, Beth Gibbons, Big Thief, Black Country, New Road, Cameron Winter, Damon Albarn, Depeche Mode, Dove Ellis, Ellie Rowsell, English Teacher, Ezra Collective, Foals, Fontaines D.C., Graham Coxon, Greentea Peng, Grian Chatten, Kae Tempest, King Krule, Nilüfer Yanya, Olivia Rodrigo, Pulp, Sampha, The Last Dinner Party, Wet Leg and Young Fathers…amongst other musicians, engineers, mixers and producers.

In addition to the stellar cast of musicians involved, renowned filmmaker and Academy Award Winner Jonathan Glazer acted as Creative Director for HELP(2), working with Academy Films to assemble a team of brilliant creatives and overseeing the filming and art direction for the project.

All proceeds from this album support War Child UK to protect, educate, and stand up for the rights of children living through conflict around the world.

HELP(2) represents hope for children whose lives have been torn apart by war. It is a testament to the generosity of artists and the music industry for making a positive difference towards securing a safer, brighter future for those children. Because no child should be part of war. Ever.

HELP(2) is a brand new collaborative album, inspired by the landmark 1995 release 'HELP', which brings music lovers together in support of War Child's vital work delivering immediate aid, education, specialist mental health support, and protection to children affected by conflict around the world.

HELP(2) carries forward the spirit of the original ‘HELP’ album and was brought to life through a close collaboration with Abbey Road Studios, recorded predominantly across one extraordinary week in November 2025. Under the stewardship of acclaimed producer James Ford as Executive Producer, HELP(2) features an incredible line-up of contributors including Anna Calvi, Arctic Monkeys, Arlo Parks, Arooj Aftab, Bat For Lashes, Beabadoobee, Beck, Beth Gibbons, Big Thief, Black Country, New Road, Cameron Winter, Damon Albarn, Depeche Mode, Dove Ellis, Ellie Rowsell, English Teacher, Ezra Collective, Foals, Fontaines D.C., Graham Coxon, Greentea Peng, Grian Chatten, Kae Tempest, King Krule, Nilüfer Yanya, Olivia Rodrigo, Pulp, Sampha, The Last Dinner Party, Wet Leg and Young Fathers…amongst other musicians, engineers, mixers and producers.

All proceeds from this album support War Child UK to protect, educate, and stand up for the rights of children living through conflict around the world.

HELP(2) represents hope for children whose lives have been torn apart by war. It is a testament to the generosity of artists and the music industry for making a positive difference towards securing a safer, brighter future for those children. Because no child should be part of war. Ever.

James Ford added: “I felt incredibly honoured when War Child asked me to work on ‘HELP(2)’. The original ‘HELP’ meant a lot to me and to have the opportunity, given the current news cycle, to help galvanize our music community into doing something as unarguably positive as helping children in war zones seemed like a no-brainer. “The experience of making the album itself has been very powerful, and dare I say life affirming for me personally, against the backdrop of a very difficult year. I’m extremely proud of the results and of the efforts made by all involved. I can’t wait for people to hear this very special record.”

Oasis hidden track to appear on War Child Records' HELP(2) album.

Oasis is set to be featured on the upcoming HELP(2) album in aid of War Child.

The iconic band, who set the world alight last year with their Oasis Live '25 Tour will feature on the project with a stand-alone 7" single enclosed within the gatefold of the vinyl edition of HELP(2) as well as appearing as a hidden track on the double CD version.

The hidden track in question has been revealed as the live version of Acquiesce performed at Wembley Stadium on the 28 September as part of their pulsating live tour.

Released in 1995, Acquiesce is considered a serious fan favourite, with its energy and timeless sound being wholly apparent within the song.

Depeche Mode will release a new cover version of Buffy Sainte-Marie's song "Universal Soldier" for a charity album.

According to a War Child press release, the album was created in close collaboration with Abbey Road Studios in just one week in November 2025. The process was led by producer James Ford, who also produced Depeche Mode's current album "Memento Mori".

Depeche Mode and many other famous artists have recorded a new charity album "Help(2)" to support children in crisis areas who are forced to live there in the most difficult conditions.

"Universal Soldier" is Depeche Mode's contribution to the charity album "Help(2)", which is being released for the benefit of the charity organization War Child UK.

The charity album "Help(2)" will be released on March 6, 2026.

James Ford talks with NME through the huge new War Child ‘Help(2)’ album

Depeche Mode – ‘Universal Soldier’

“I’ve worked with Depeche, and Martin [Gore, songwriter] has always had his eye on what’s going on in the world politically. I approached them quite early on but their process is often quite painfully slow, so I wasn’t expecting anything to come of it for a while. Then, weirdly, it was probably one of the first tracks that got delivered once Martin had found the track to cover. I love it when people really flip a cover version to make it feel like their own track. He sent me something within a couple of weeks, well before the Abbey Road sessions, so we had that early doors. I think it’s a really interesting version.

“They have a pretty regular three or four-year cycle, so I’m pretty sure Martin is writing. Whether or not that materialises sooner rather than later, who knows?”

2x12" + 7" / Digital Album (WARCHILD16LP)(War Child Records) UK

2x12"

SIDE A

Arctic Monkeys   Opening Night 04:20

Damon Albarn, Grian Chatten & Kae Tempest   Flags 05:07

Black Country, New Road   Strangers 04:30

The Last Dinner Party   Let’s do it again! 04:32

Beth Gibbons   Sunday Morning 04:50

SIDE B

Arooj Aftab & Beck   Lilac Wine 03:47

King Krule   The 343 Loop 02:07

Depeche Mode   Universal Soldier 03:21

Ezra Collective & Greentea Peng   Helicopters 03:59

Arlo Parks   Nothing I Could Hide 02:58

English Teacher & Graham Coxon   Parasite 03:10

Beabadoobee   Say Yes 02:37

SIDE C

Big Thief   Relive, Redie 03:24

Fontaines D.C.   Black Boys on Mopeds 03:35

Cameron Winter   Warning 04:33

Young Fathers   Don’t Fight the Young 02:28

Pulp   Begging for Change 04:21

Sampha   Naboo 03:15

SIDE D

Wet Leg   Obvious 03:32

Foals   When the War is Finally Done 03:58

Bat For Lashes   Carried my girl 03:56

Anna Calvi, Ellie Rowsell, Nilüfer Yanya & Dove Ellis   Sunday Light 04:03

Olivia Rodrigo   The Book of Love 04:09

7"

Oasis   Acquiesce (Live At Wembley Stadium September 28, 2025) 04:11

STICKER:

Featuring

Anna Calvi

& Friends

Arctic Monkeys

Arlo Parks

Arooj Aftab

& Beck

Bat For Lashes

Beabadoobee

Beth Gibbons

Big Thief

Black Country

New Road

Cameron Winter

Damon Albarn

Grian Chatten &

Kae Tempest

Depeche Mode

English Teacher

& Graham Coxon

Ezra Collective

& Greentea Peng

Foals

Fontaines D.C.

King Krule

Olivia Rodrigo

Pulp

Sampha

The Last Dinner

Party

Wet Leg

Young Fathers

WAR

child

● MATRIX: RUNOUT / BARCODE

Barcode:   191400691612

Runout / 12" Side A:   WARCHILDHELP 2 LP A1 BP53302-01 A1 3// = MATT @ METROPOLIS =

Runout / 12" Side B:   WARCHILDHELP2LP-B2 BP53302-01 B2 GOOD MORNING THIS IS YOUR WARNING 8-

Runout / 12" Side C:   WARCHILDHELP2LP-C2 5= BP53302-02 C2

Runout / 12" Side D:   WARCHILDHELP 2 LP D1 BP53302-02 D1 THEY ARE ALL OUR BABIES 7I

Runout / 7":   WARCHILD 16LP BQ53850-01 A1 31 = MATT @ METROPOLIS =

Vinyl record format:   Stereo 33 ⅓ RPM

NOTE: Gatefold sleeve. Runouts are etched: "3//", "8-", "5=", "7I" and "31" are mirrored.

2xCD + Digital Album (WARCHILD16CD)(War Child Records) UK

CD 1

Arctic Monkeys   Opening Night 04:20

Damon Albarn, Grian Chatten & Kae Tempest   Flags 05:07

Black Country, New Road   Strangers 04:30

The Last Dinner Party   Let’s do it again! 04:32

Beth Gibbons   Sunday Morning 04:50

Arooj Aftab & Beck   Lilac Wine 03:47

King Krule   The 343 Loop 02:07

Depeche Mode   Universal Soldier 03:21

Ezra Collective & Greentea Peng   Helicopters 03:59

Arlo Parks   Nothing I Could Hide 02:58

English Teacher & Graham Coxon   Parasite 03:10

Beabadoobee   Say Yes 02:37

CD 2

Big Thief   Relive, Redie 03:24

Fontaines D.C.   Black Boys on Mopeds 03:35

Cameron Winter   Warning 04:33

Young Fathers   Don’t Fight the Young 02:28

Pulp   Begging for Change 04:21

Sampha   Naboo 03:15

Wet Leg   Obvious 03:32

Foals   When the War is Finally Done 03:58

Bat For Lashes   Carried my girl 03:56

Anna Calvi, Ellie Rowsell, Nilüfer Yanya & Dove Ellis   Sunday Light 04:03

Olivia Rodrigo   The Book of Love 04:09

Hidden Track

Oasis   Acquiesce (Live From Wembley Stadium, 28 September '25) 04:11

STICKER:

Featuring

Anna Calvi

& Friends

Arctic Monkeys

Arlo Parks

Arooj Aftab

& Beck

Bat For Lashes

Beabadoobee

Beth Gibbons

Big Thief

Black Country

New Road

Cameron Winter

Damon Albarn

Grian Chatten &

Kae Tempest

Depeche Mode

English Teacher

& Graham Coxon

Ezra Collective

& Greentea Peng

Foals

Fontaines D.C.

King Krule

Olivia Rodrigo

Pulp

Sampha

The Last Dinner

Party

Wet Leg

Young Fathers

● MATRIX: RUNOUT / BARCODE

Barcode:   191400691629

Runout / CD 1:   WARCHILD16CD AQ54158-01 manufactured by optimal media GmbH

Mastering SID Code / CD 1:   IFPI L578

Runout / CD 2:   WARCHILD16CD AQ54158-02 manufactured by optimal media GmbH

Mastering SID Code / CD 2:   IFPI L578

NOTE: CD 2 Track 11 contains 2 tracks separated by approximately a minute silence. Oliva Rodrigo - The Book Of Love: 0:00 - 3:58. Oasis - Acquiesce (Live At Wembley Stadium September 28, 2025): 5:00 - 9:12

DIGITAL (MP3, FLAC | 16-bit/44.1kHz)(War Child Records) UK

Arctic Monkeys   Opening Night 04:20

Damon Albarn, Grian Chatten & Kae Tempest   Flags 05:07

Black Country, New Road   Strangers 04:30

The Last Dinner Party   Let’s do it again! 04:32

Beth Gibbons   Sunday Morning 04:50

Arooj Aftab & Beck   Lilac Wine 03:47

King Krule   The 343 Loop 02:07

Depeche Mode   Universal Soldier 03:21

Ezra Collective & Greentea Peng   Helicopters 03:59

Arlo Parks   Nothing I Could Hide 02:58

English Teacher & Graham Coxon   Parasite 03:10

Beabadoobee   Say Yes 02:37

Big Thief   Relive, Redie 03:24

Fontaines D.C.   Black Boys on Mopeds 03:35

Cameron Winter   Warning 04:33

Young Fathers   Don’t Fight the Young 02:28

Pulp   Begging for Change 04:21

Sampha   Naboo 03:15

Wet Leg   Obvious 03:32

Foals   When the War is Finally Done 03:58

Bat For Lashes   Carried my girl 03:56

Anna Calvi, Ellie Rowsell, Nilüfer Yanya & Dove Ellis   Sunday Light 04:03

Olivia Rodrigo   The Book of Love 04:09

PRODUCTION DETAILS TRACKS

"Universal Soldier"  •  Mastering Engineer: Matt Colton, Engineer: Adrian Hierholzer, Associated Performer: Dave Gahan, Mixing Engineer, Producer: James Ford, Mixing Engineer: Marta Salogni, Associated Performer, Programmer: Martin Gore, Composer Lyricist by Buffy Sainte-Marie.

He's five foot-two and he's six feet-four

He fights with missiles and with spears

He's all of 31 and he's only 17

Been a soldier for a thousand years

He's a Catholic, a Hindu, an Atheist, a Jain

A Buddhist, and a Baptist, and a Jew

And he knows he shouldn't kill

And he knows he always will

Kill you for me, my friend, and me for you

And he's killing for Canada

He's killing for France

He's killing for the U.S.A

And he's killing for the Russians

And he's killing for Japan

And he thinks we'll put an end to war this way

And he's fighting for Democracy

He's fighting for the Reds

He says it's for the peace of all

He's the one who must decide

Who's to live and who's to die

And he never sees the writing on the wall

But without him

How would Hitler have condemned him at Libau?

Without him Caesar would have stood alone

He's the one who gives his body as a weapon of the war

And without him all this killing can't go on

He's the Universal Soldier and he really is to blame

His orders come from far away no more

They come from here and there and you and me

And brothers, can't you see?

This is not the way we put the end to war

discussion

2026