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"Helicopters", produced by Ezra Collective and mixed by David Wrench, sees the group offer dub-inspired textures as a backdrop to Greentea Peng's lyricism as they share a joint message of unity and peace at home and beyond. The new song follows previous singles from HELP(2), including "Opening Night" by Arctic Monkeys, "Flags" by Damon Albarn, Grian Chatten & Kae Tempest, "Let’s Do It Again!" by The Last Dinner Party, and "Begging For Change" by Pulp.
Speaking about Ezra Collective's contribution to the project, drummer Femi Koleoso says: “Ezra Collective have enjoyed the beautiful blessing of being able to have access to clean water, education and a conflict free country, allowing us to focus our energy and time into creating music. As a band we truly believe every child in the world deserves this blessing. The opportunity to use music to take a small step in achieving this is a gift and we are truly grateful to War Child not just for allowing us to be a part of this process, but also for all they do to create a better world for children everywhere.”
Discussing the new track, Greentea Peng adds: “'Helicopters', you could say, is a reaction to the lack of action or misaction we have witnessed over the last three years (but in reality, throughout my whole life) in regard to the blatant slaughtering and exploitation of our brothers and sisters around the world. The manipulation, lies, and treachery that the powers that be rain down upon us with absolute impunity.
"Whilst we gather in the streets to demand our rights and the end to this evil perpetrated in our names, they hover above us in their flying machines, their helicopters, pre-empting chaos, as if we are the ones who need watching, as if we are the ones reaping havoc. From the streets, amidst my peers, gathered in their thousands, I found myself looking up and wondering.. if only you were looking in the right direction. That is how these lyrics came to be. The rest is down to my talented brethren of the Ezra Collective. Give thanks.”
The HELP(2) album is a collaborative release inspired by the 1995 landmark release HELP, which was made to engage audiences in the work that War Child does to deliver immediate aid, education, specialist mental health support, and protection to children affected by conflict around the world.
HELP(2) features contributions from Arctic Monkeys, Anna Calvi, 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.
English (US) · 