Pakistan’s pioneering Grammy winner, Arooj Aftab, has once again solidified her place on the global stage, this time for a deeply humanitarian cause. Arooj has joined an elite roster of international musicians for Help(2), a massive charity album curated to raise funds and awareness for children living through the horrors of armed conflict.
The project is spearheaded by War Child Records, the music arm of the UK-based charity War Child. The album is now streaming across all major platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube, with physical vinyl and CD editions available to support the cause directly.
new lilac wine cover beck did with arooj aftab is so beautiful, that 2:50 mark onward is transcendent pic.twitter.com/eKHH3jn9Yi
— Jane ♡ (@crumbletodust) March 6, 2026
The “Lilac Wine” Collaboration
In one of the album’s most anticipated pairings, Arooj collaborated with eight-time Grammy winner Beck (Beck Hanson). The duo delivered a hauntingly beautiful cover of the 1950 Broadway classic “Lilac Wine.” Beck not only lent his signature vocals to the track but also took the reins as producer and mixer. The result is a blend of Arooj’s ethereal, sufi-influenced vocal style with Beck’s experimental folk sensibilities, a track that critics are already calling the emotional centerpiece of the 23-song collection.
‘Lilac Wine’ with Arooj Aftab from HELP(2) is out now!https://t.co/8lY9ojFYly
Also available on vinyl & CD: https://t.co/CoKgi1xPQX
All proceeds from this album support @warchild to protect, educate, and stand up for the rights of children living through conflict. pic.twitter.com/KyyCyP3isa
— Beck (@beck) March 7, 2026
A Star-Studded Tracklist
Help(2) serves as a spiritual successor to the legendary 1995 Help album, and the 2026 lineup is equally formidable:
Arctic Monkeys: The band ended a nearly four-year hiatus (following 2022’s The Car) to contribute the opening track, “Opening Night.”
Olivia Rodrigo: The pop powerhouse contributed “Book of Love,” while indie favorite King Krule provided “The 343 Loop.”
Sinead O’Connor: In a poignant tribute, the late icon is featured with her powerful track “Black Boys on Mopeds.”
The Diaspora Connection
For the Pakistani diaspora and fans back home, Arooj’s inclusion is more than just a musical feat. By standing alongside names like Fontaines D.C. and Arctic Monkeys, she continues to reposition Pakistani artistry as a vital component of the global “Alt-Folk” and “Neo-Sufi” scenes. Netizens have been quick to point out the significance of a Pakistani woman being at the forefront of a project dedicated to children in war zones, a reality that resonates deeply within the region.
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The proceeds from the album will go toward War Child’s emergency response programs, providing psychological support, education, and protection for children in volatile regions across the globe.
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