Arctic Monkeys to release new single this week in aid of War Child
Arctic Monkeys will release a new single this week in aid of War Child, the charity has confirmed.
In a short teaser video posted on social media by War Child Records, which shows a boy running in the sea, a tantalising sneak preview of the forthcoming track can seemingly be heard.
The upcoming single, which is yet to receive an official title, will arrive at 3pm GMT on January 22nd. War Child Records have promised that more information “about our upcoming project to support children living through war” will also be revealed at the same time.
It will mark the first piece of new material from Arctic Monkeys since they released their seventh album, The Car, four years ago in 2022.
The official announcement that a new single is on the way comes after several weeks of teasing from Arctic Monkeys and War Child that a new project was on the horizon.
At the start of the month, the Sheffield band initially hinted at an upcoming collaboration with War Child when they began following War Child Records on Instagram, which remains the only account that the band follows.
Then, on January 9th, they took to Instagram Stories to share a post from the official War Child Records account, which reads, “There is a group of artists who are working on something important in support of War Child. There will more information coming soon.”
Although more information regarding the project won’t be revealed until January 22nd, James Ford, the band’s longtime producer, is said to have overseen a compilation record in aid of War Child.
This was revealed by Arctic Monkeys’ manager Ian McAndrew at the Music Week Awards in London last year, when he was honoured with an award.
During his speech, McAndrew said he was “calling on this community to join us in supporting War Child with the release of a new album”, which he said would be produced by Ford.
Intriguingly, the War Child Records account on Instagram also follows Fontaines DC, Beck, English Teacher, Graham Coxon, Damon Albarn, The Last Dinner Party, Pulp, Kae Tempest, and Arooj Aftab, which suggests they may be involved.
Previously, in 1995, Brian Eno oversaw War Child Records’ Help compilation, which featured the likes of Oasis, Blur, Radiohead, Orbital, Portishead, Massive Attack, Suede, Sinéad O’Connor, and Manic Street Preachers. It raised more than £1.25 million for charity.
Arctic Monkeys previously performed an intimate show at London’s Royal Albert Hall in aid of the charity, which was later released as a live album with all proceeds going to the non-profit organisation.
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